Early rainfall expected in most parts of Nigeria — NiMet prediction 2025

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted early rainfall events in most parts of the country in its 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP).

The SCP report unveiled on Tuesday, in Abuja by Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development provides crucial insights into expected weather patterns, guiding key sectors such as agriculture, disaster risk management, health, marine operations, and aviation.

The event was themed “The Role of Early Warnings Towards a Climate-Resilient Aviation Industry for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development,” Key Rainfall Predictions for 2025.

According to NiMet, significant early rainfall is expected across many regions before the normal onset period. The forecast indicates that:

Early rainfall onset is expected in the southern states, including Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi.

Delayed rainfall onset is likely in Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, and Kwara while the rest of the country is expected to experience a normal onset of rainfall.

Similarly, the forecast suggests variations in the end of the rainy season, An early cessation of rainfall is predicted for Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, FCT, Ekiti, and Ondo.

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While a delayed end to the rainy season is expected in Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, Lagos, Kwara, Taraba, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Anambra, and Enugu.

“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. 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 is predicted to have a normal onset.

“The predicted end-of-rainy season compared to the long-term average indicates that parts of Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, FCT, Ekiti, and Ondo states are expected to be early. 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,”

Speaking at the event, Keyamo emphasized the importance of the SCP as a tool for informed decision-making. He noted that the report equips various sectors with the necessary foresight to plan, mitigate risks, and maximize opportunities.

“It offers insights into expected weather and climate patterns, equipping various sectors with the foresight needed to plan, mitigate risks, and harness opportunities. Agriculture, disaster risk management, health, marine operations, transport and especially aviation are among the many domains that will benefit from this invaluable resource and advisory.

“By leveraging this data, we can better prepare for weather-related challenges and enhance climate resilience,” Keyamo stated.

Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring that the SCP reaches all Nigerians. He announced that a summary version of the SCP has been translated into Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Pidgin to enhance accessibility for people in remote communities.

Charles Anosike, Director General and Chief Executive Officer, NiMet, reiterated that weather and climate predictions are time-sensitive and require swift action. He urged stakeholders to utilize the information effectively and provide feedback to improve future forecasts.

“My appreciation goes to members of the Senate, House of Representatives, and governors for their continued support. NiMet relies on their collaboration to ensure the successful downscaling of this forecast to the grassroots level,” he said.

NiMet has made the full 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction document available for public access on its official website: www.nimet.gov.ng.

As Nigeria prepares for the 2025 rainy season, the agency has advised citizens, farmers, businesses, and policymakers to stay informed, plan accordingly, and implement necessary climate adaptation strategies to mitigate potential risks associated with the predicted weather patterns.