The National Economic Council (NEC) has called for the immediate strengthening of State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) across all 36 states of the federation to enhance flood preparedness and disaster response.
In a statement released on Thursday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), the council also urged the Federal Ministry of Finance to expedite the release of emergency funds to mitigate the looming effects of potential flooding across the country.
This resolution followed a presentation by the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, during the council’s meeting. Her briefing highlighted the nation’s preparedness for the 2025 flood season and outlined key response strategies.
Umar emphasized the importance of local participation in disaster prevention, directing local government areas and communities to take ownership of risk mitigation efforts. She encouraged community-led awareness campaigns and urged the timely reporting of early flood indicators to relevant authorities.
NEMA’s presentation also showcased several strides made since 2024, including the development of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy and Action Plan (2024–2027) in partnership with the United Nations. The agency is currently validating the Nigeria Hazard Risk Countrywide Analysis for 2024.
Further strengthening its operations, NEMA reported enhanced coordination with the military and other critical stakeholders such as the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigerian Red Cross to boost disaster response capabilities.
The NEC’s call aims to ensure timely, coordinated, and community-driven flood risk management as Nigeria faces increasing climate-related challenges.
