The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted delayed onset of rainfall in northern and central states for the 2025 raining season.
The delayed onset of rainfall was predicted in northern and central states of Plateau as well as parts of Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, and Kwara.
NiMet also said while early onset is expected over the southern states of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra, and sections of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi, the rest of the country was predicted to have a normal onset.
Speaking at the annual seasonal climate prediction, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo, said as with previous years, there are pre-onset rainfall activities that should not be confused with the actual onset of the rainy season.
He further stated that the NiMet prediction also showed that “earlier than long-term average end-of-rainy season is predicted over parts of Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, FCT, Ekiti, and Ondo states. A delayed end of season is expected over parts of Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, Lagos, Kwara, Taraba, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Anambra, and Enugu states.
“The predicted length of rainy season in 2025 is expected to be mostly normal across the country. However, Borno and parts of Yobe states could experience shorter than normal length of season. Lagos, and Nasarawa states are likely to have longer than normal length of seasons in 2025.”
The NiMet prediction also showed that “during the April-May-June (AMJ) season, there is a likelihood of a severe dry spell of above 15 days after the establishment of rainfall in Oyo state; Moderate dry spell that may last up to 15 days is likely to occur in Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom states in the south. However, for the northern states, a severe dry spell that may last up to 21 days is predicted for the June-July-August (JJA) season of 2025.
“The Little Dry Season (LDS), also known as ‘August Break’ is predicted to begin by late July and would be severe only in parts of Lagos and Ogun states. The number of days with little or no rainfall will range between 27 to 40 days.”
While speaking at the event, the director general/CEO of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike, said as with all weather and climate predictions, the seasonal climate prediction (SCP), aside being perishable also requires actors who will uptake the information, utilise it, and provide feedback for evaluation and improvement of the document.
He further said one of the key factors to a successful early warning initiative such as the NiMet SCP is collaborations at all levels of governance.
While speaking at the event, the director general of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, said it is on record that weather and climatic elements impact heavily and play a vital role in all forms of human activities and across socio-economic sectors.
“I am glad to say that hydro-meteorological information from NIMET has continued to play a vital role in disaster preparedness, response and mitigation plans of the National Emergency Management Agency.
“The NIMET SCP has over the years become a veritable tool that enables NEMA to conduct expert analysis of disaster risk implications and produce disaster early warning messages for delivery to emergency responders to support the protection of lives, critical national assets and the entire cultural landscape in Nigeria,” she added.
