The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has revealed the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, forecasting early rainfall in many southern states.
The minister announced this during the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction presentation on Tuesday in Abuja.
The SCP document predicts that most parts of the country will experience significant rainfall events at the beginning of 2025, with rains likely coming before the onset.
According to Keyamo, “The onset of rain is predicted to be delayed over the northern and central states of Plateau as well as parts of Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, and Kwara. 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 is predicted to have a normal onset.
“Earlier than the 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 the 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 prediction 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 season.
“The little dry season, known as ‘august break,’ is expected to begin by late July and would be severe in parts of Lagos and Ogun states, with 27 to 40 days of little or no rainfall.
“In line with the United Nations Early Warnings for All Initiative, this prediction serves as an early warning tool to stakeholders, governments at all levels, and the general public for timely preparedness against potential hazards associated with surplus or deficit rains, floods, and high or low temperatures, as well as dry spells in parts of the country, among others,” Keyamo said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Ibrahim Kana, highlighted the ministry’s commitment to making climate information accessible to all Nigerians.
“Today’s session is particularly special because it represents our dedication to public engagement, ensuring that the knowledge we generate benefits communities across all 36 states of the federation and the FCT,” he said.
He also noted that a summary of the SCP for policymakers, translations into Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Pidgin, as well as a comprehensive report on Nigeria’s 2024 climate, demonstrate NiMet’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
Also speaking at the event was the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Charles Anosike, who stressed that the SCP is time-sensitive and requires immediate action from stakeholders.
“As with all weather and climate predictions, the Seasonal Climate Prediction, aside from being perishable also requires actors who will uptake the information, utilize it, and provide feedback for evaluation and improvement of the document,” he noted.
