The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecasted that the 2025 rainy season will last between 250 and 290 days in Lagos, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom states.
This projection is part of NiMet’s 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), released on Monday.
NiMet outlined that southern inland states such as Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Ebonyi, Anambra, and Enugu will experience rainfall for 200 to 250 days. In contrast, the central region will have 150 to 200 rainy days, while northern states like Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, and Borno will see between 110 and 150 days of rain.
The agency noted that while most areas will experience a normal rainy season, regions like Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa, Kogi, Niger, and Ondo may face shorter durations. Conversely, Lagos and parts of Nasarawa are expected to have an extended rainy season.
Rainfall Outlook
According to the report, total annual rainfall across Nigeria is projected to range from 405 mm in the far north to 3010 mm in coastal regions.
“It is predicted that the annual rainfall total in Borno, Yobe, Sokoto, and Katsina states are likely to be less than 685 mm. Rainfall in the central states (parts of Niger, Kwara, Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue states, and the FCT) is expected to range from 970 mm to 1500 mm,” the report stated.
Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom are projected to receive between 2700 mm and 3010 mm of rainfall. Some areas, including Lagos, Ebonyi, Cross River, and the FCT, are likely to experience above-normal rainfall totals.
Rainfall Onset and Cessation
The SCP predicts the earliest onset of rains in Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and parts of Delta between February 23 and March 10. Southern states like Lagos, Ogun, and Enugu may see rainfall begin between March and April, while northern states will experience rain onset between June and July.
Rainfall is expected to end between October 6 and December 17, starting in the northern regions and concluding in southern coastal states.
Dry Spells and Little Dry Season (LDS)
NiMet has also warned of potential dry spells. A severe dry spell of over 15 days is expected in parts of Oyo shortly after the rains begin. Northern states could face severe dry spells of up to 21 days between June and August.
The Little Dry Season (LDS), typically occurring in July, is forecasted to be severe in Lagos and Oyo, with dry days ranging from 27 to 40.
“It is predicted that the Little Dry Season for 2025 across the southwest is likely to set in by July 22nd, 2025,” NiMet reported. Moderate effects of the LDS are expected in Ogun, Oyo, and Ekiti states, with milder impacts in Osun, Kwara, and parts of Ondo.