Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has released its 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), warning of delayed rainfall onset, extreme weather conditions, and potential flash floods in coastal areas.
The report was officially presented in Abuja by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, under the theme: “The Role of Early Warnings Towards a Climate-Resilient Aviation Industry for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development.”
Keyamo emphasized the growing impact of climate change on aviation, agriculture, infrastructure, and disaster management. He urged stakeholders in climate-sensitive industries to consult NiMet’s predictions for accurate weather guidance.
Key Predictions for 2025:
- Late Rainfall Onset: States in the North and Central regions—including Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, and Kwara—will experience delayed rainfall. In contrast, southern states like Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi will see early rainfall.
- Earlier Rainfall End: The rainy season will end earlier than usual in Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, FCT, Ekiti, and Ondo. However, Lagos, Kwara, Taraba, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Anambra, and Enugu will experience a delayed end to rainfall.
- Annual Rainfall Trends: Most areas will see normal to below-average rainfall, except for Kebbi, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Cross River, Lagos, Abia, Akwa Ibom, and the FCT, where above-normal rainfall is expected.
- Flash Flood Risks: Heavy rainfall in May and June could lead to flash floods in coastal cities.
- Dry Spells:
- Severe dry spells (over 15 days) will hit Oyo State, particularly Saki, Iseyin, Ogbomosho, and Atisbo.
- Moderate dry spells (up to 15 days) will affect Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom.
- Northern states could experience even longer dry spells, lasting up to 21 days between June and August.
- August Break: A period of little or no rainfall will begin in late July.
- Severe conditions (27 to 40 rain-free days): Lagos and Ogun
- Moderate effects: Ogun, Oyo, and Ekiti
- Lighter effects: Osun, Oyo, Kwara, and northern Ondo
- Temperature Outlook: 2025 will be hotter than average, with intense heat waves expected in January, February, March, and May. Northern states will experience the most severe heat conditions.
Early Warnings and Government Commitment
NiMet stressed that the predictions align with the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All Initiative and serve as a vital tool for policymakers and disaster management agencies.
Minister Keyamo reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to climate resilience, commending President Bola Tinubu for supporting NiMet’s efforts.
NiMet’s Director General, Prof. Charles Anosike, thanked key government officials, particularly the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Aviation, for their continued support. He highlighted the importance of collaboration in ensuring that climate predictions reach all communities, especially vulnerable areas.
To enhance accessibility, NiMet has translated the 2025 SCP into Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Pidgin English, ensuring wider dissemination across Nigeria.
The agency urged farmers, aviation stakeholders, and disaster management officials to stay informed and take necessary precautions based on these predictions. NiMet also reiterated its commitment to providing timely and accurate weather updates to support national development and disaster preparedness.
