Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to advancing proactive disaster management through strengthened collaboration with relevant institutions and stakeholders.
Umar made this known while receiving a delegation from the Simulation and Crisis Management Directorate of the Department of State Services (DSS), which paid a working visit to the NEMA headquarters in Abuja.
She noted that the agency remains focused on a risk-informed approach to disaster management, with emphasis on early warning systems, preparedness, mitigation, and coordinated response to emerging threats across the country.
The NEMA boss explained that following the release of the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, the agency immediately activated strategic measures to enhance preparedness and reduce the impact of anticipated flooding during the rainy season.
According to her, NEMA has intensified stakeholder engagements, convened technical coordination platforms, and commenced targeted sensitisation and advocacy campaigns aimed at encouraging state governments and vulnerable communities to adopt preventive measures against flood risks.
Umar commended the DSS delegation for the visit and expressed the agency’s readiness to collaborate in strengthening disaster preparedness, simulation planning, and coordinated emergency response nationwide.
Earlier, Acting Assistant Director-General of the Directorate, Safiya Yusuf, said the visit was aimed at familiarising NEMA with the Directorate’s operations, particularly its role in providing critical support before, during, and after emergencies.
She also reaffirmed the Directorate’s commitment to working closely with NEMA to enhance institutional preparedness and reinforce Nigeria’s national crisis response framework.
The renewed collaboration, stakeholders say, is expected to further strengthen the country’s capacity to manage disasters effectively and build resilient communities.
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