Gloom Predictions for Farming Season 2025
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has in its 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), warned of possibility of delayed onset of rainfall in northern Nigeria, including Katsina State.
Other States that may experience delayed rains are Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa and Kwara.
The Seasonal Climate Prediction also warned that the rainy season will end earlier than usual in Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, FCT, Ekiti and Ondo States.
It said Northern states could experience even longer dry spells, lasting up to 21 days between June and August.
Most areas will see normal to below-average rainfall, except for Kebbi, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Cross River, Lagos, Abia, Akwa Ibom, and the FCT, where above-normal rainfall is expected.
In contrast, southern states like Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi will see early rainfall.
Lagos, Kwara, Taraba, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Anambra, and Enugu will also experience a delayed end to rainfall.
The report added that heavy rainfall in May and June could lead to flash floods in coastal cities.
It also predicted severe dry spells of over 15 days in Oyo State, particularly Saki, Iseyin, Ogbomosho, and Atisbo, while moderate dry spells of up to 15 days will affect Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom.
The report was officially presented in Abuja on 15th February 2025 by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, under the theme: ‘The Role of Early Warnings Towards a Climate-Resilient Aviation Industry for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development’.
The 2025 temperature outlook indicates that it will be hotter than average, with intense heat waves expected in January, February, March, and May. Northern states will experience the most severe heat conditions.
NiMet stressed that the predictions align with the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All Initiative and serve as a vital tool for policymakers and disaster management agencies.
