Abuja. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has forecast a longer than normal rainy season in 2026, with Akwa Ibom State identified as one of the prominent areas expected to experience extended rainfall and above normal precipitation levels.
The outlook was presented as part of the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction, which outlines rainfall onset, duration, and cessation patterns across the country to support planning in climate sensitive sectors.
NiMet projects early rainfall onset in several southern and central states, including Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Oyo. Parts of Kebbi, Niger, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Adamawa, and Taraba are also expected to record early rains, while Borno State may experience a delayed onset.
Rainfall is expected to end later than normal in a number of states, contributing to a longer rainy season. These include Lagos, Ogun, Anambra, Enugu, Cross River, Benue, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Akwa Ibom, reinforcing its outlook as one of the states with prolonged wet conditions in 2026.
NiMet further indicated that Akwa Ibom is among the states likely to record above normal rainfall, alongside Borno, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Enugu, Cross River, Abia, Ebonyi, and the Federal Capital Territory. In contrast, below normal rainfall is projected in parts of Katsina, Zamfara, Kwara, Oyo, and Ogun.
The agency cautioned that dry spells may still occur within the rainy season. Moderate dry spells are expected in several locations, while more severe dry periods could affect parts of Oyo and Ogun between March and May.
The Federal Government advised farmers and other rain dependent sectors, particularly in high rainfall states such as Akwa Ibom, to rely on NiMet predicted onset dates rather than early rains when making planting and operational decisions.
