Nigerian authorities have reported that at least 11 of the country’s 36 states are at risk of flooding due to water releases from Cameroon’s Lagdo dam.

Nigeria's Hydrological Services Agency has issued a warning about the potential for flooding in 11 states following reports from neighboring Cameroon about the release of water from one of its largest dams. This action comes in response to recent heavy rainfall across West and Central Africa.

Currently, Nigeria is already dealing with severe flooding in northeastern Borno state due to a dam that breached its walls amid heavy rains. These rains have also resulted in flooding in Cameroon, Chad, Mali, and Niger, all part of the Sahel region which typically experiences minimal rainfall.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) reported that on Tuesday, Cameroonian authorities notified them of controlled water releases from the Lagdo dam. The Lagdo dam, situated on the Benue River which flows into Nigeria, is managed by Cameroon's utility company, ENEO. A spokesperson from ENEO indicated that while there is a possibility of the dam becoming overwhelmed, the reservoirs had not yet been opened as of Wednesday morning.

NIHSA stated that the Lagdo dam managers would release water gradually to ensure that the flow does not exceed the capacity of the Benue River downstream, thereby aiming to prevent flooding. Despite these measures, 11 states, including Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi in the central region, as well as the southern oil-producing states of Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers, are at risk of flooding.

The agency has urged both federal and state authorities in Nigeria to enhance vigilance and implement adequate preparedness measures to mitigate the impact of potential flooding due to increased river flow levels.

In 2022, Nigeria experienced its worst flooding in a decade, resulting in over 600 deaths and significant damage to farmlands, exacerbated by heavy rains and water releases from the Lagdo dam. Experts noted that Nigeria's incomplete dam project, intended to mitigate the effects of the Cameroonian dam, contributed to the severity of the disaster.

Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, frequently faces flooding issues, which critics attribute to inadequate infrastructure and poor planning.