Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
In a bid to enhance national disaster readiness, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has convened a high-level Technical Meeting to review the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) and develop strategies for mitigating climate-related risks, particularly flooding.
The meeting, which brought together representatives from federal ministries, security agencies, humanitarian organisations, and development partners, aimed to strengthen coordinated and proactive responses to emerging climate hazards.
Speaking at the event, NEMA Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar described the Seasonal Climate Prediction as a vital tool for guiding early action across all levels of government. She stressed the need for evidence-based and proactive disaster management, noting that recent recurring flood events had highlighted gaps in coordination and preparedness.
“The theme of this meeting, ‘Strengthening Multisectoral Preparedness and Early Action for Climate-Related Disasters in Nigeria’, underscores the importance of timely and coordinated responses to emerging risks,” Mrs. Umar said.
She urged participants to critically analyse the climate projections and translate them into concrete preparedness measures, emphasizing that effective disaster management requires clear roles, timely planning, and strong inter-agency collaboration.
Dr. Godwin Tepikor, NEMA Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, highlighted the inclusion of the 2025 After Action Review (AAR) in the discussions, noting it provides valuable lessons from past emergency responses to improve future interventions.
Officials from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) shared updates on ongoing improvements in weather and flood forecasting, pointing to the forthcoming 2026 Annual Flood Outlook as a key resource for nationwide preparedness.
Other stakeholders, including the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Defence Headquarters, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), reaffirmed their commitment to early warning dissemination, enhanced collaboration, and coordinated response mechanisms.
The meeting reinforced the critical role of a multi-sectoral approach to disaster risk management, placing strong emphasis on early warning systems, preparedness, and inter-agency coordination to protect lives and livelihoods.
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