The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has unveiled the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), forecasting early rainfall in several southern states.
Speaking at the official presentation in Abuja on Tuesday, Keyamo stated that while most parts of the country will experience significant rainfall at the start of 2025, some areas may see rain before the expected onset.
He explained that rainfall onset will be delayed in the northern and central states, including Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, and Kwara. However, early rainfall is expected in southern states such as Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi. The rest of the country is expected to have a normal onset of rain.
Additionally, the rainy season is projected to end earlier than average in parts of Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, the FCT, Ekiti, and Ondo. However, a delayed end is anticipated in Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, Lagos, Kwara, Taraba, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Anambra, and Enugu.
NiMet also warns of a severe dry spell, lasting over 15 days in Oyo State and up to 21 days in parts of northern Nigeria during the June-July-August period. The “August break” is expected to be particularly harsh in Lagos and Ogun states, lasting between 27 and 40 days.
Keyamo emphasized that the forecast serves as an early warning tool for stakeholders, government agencies, and the public, allowing for better preparedness against extreme weather conditions such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves.
Ibrahim Kana, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to making climate information accessible to all Nigerians. He noted that the SCP has been translated into Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Pidgin to ensure inclusivity.
NiMet’s Director General, Charles Anosike, urged stakeholders to act promptly on the forecast, stressing that climate predictions are time-sensitive and require immediate response and adaptation measures.
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