NEMA calls for coordinated, inclusive approach to prevent natural disasters

Mrs Zubaida Umar, Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has called for coordinated, inclusive approach to strengthen Nigeria’s resilience against a host of threats from natural hazards.

Umar made the appeal at the Validation Workshop for the National Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Strategy (2025-2030) and Action Plan (2025–2028) toward national safety and sustainable development in Abuja on Tuesday.

Represented by Mr Ishaya Chonoko, NEMA’s Director, Risk Reduction, said the new DRR strategy, anchored on the globally recognised Sendai Framework.

According to her, the framework aims to shift Nigeria’s disaster management paradigm from reactive responses to proactive prevention.

She stressed that the risks posed threats not only to lives and livelihoods, but also to sustainable national economic development, peace, and security.

Umar called on stakeholders from government, communities, private sector, academia, and civil society to collaborate in shaping the strategy.

She added that the strategy should be shaped into “a truly actionable tool that empowers institutions, protects communities, and ensure no one is left behind.”

Throughout the workshop, participants are expected to refine and affirm the roadmap for advancing DRR over the next five years.

The strategy is widely seen as a blueprint to build resilience, adapt to climate change, and safeguard Nigeria’s hard-won development progress.

She reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to lead and coordinate national efforts, adding that, “We are confident that this strategy, once validated and adopted, will guide us toward a resilient, safe, and disaster-prepared Nigeria.”

Ms Elsie Attafuah, Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said recent assessments from the National Disaster Loss and Damage Database showed that over 45,000 disaster incidents nationwide, covering 23 priority hazards.

Attafuah who was represented by Ibironke Olubamise said the data would inform evidence-based planning and targeted resilience building.

She noted that the country’s population was projected to exceed 250 million within five years, making it imperative to act decisively and collectively to reduce disaster risks.

“The National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy is a result of extensive consultations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

“This will reflect the voices and priorities of government institutions, development partners, local communities, and the private sector, she said.

According to her, the strategy aims to guide efforts to reduce disaster risks, protect lives and livelihoods, and ensure no community is left behind.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Maryam Keshinro, reiterated the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that disaster risk reduction in Nigeria was “gender-responsive, socially inclusive, and transformative.”

She emhasised the importance of integrating gender perspectives, equity, and inclusivity in all stages of planning and implementation.

Keshinro noted that disasters disproportionately affected women, children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.

“However, women and girls are also critical agents of resilience, innovation, and recovery.

“Therefore, it is essential to deliberately integrate gender perspectives in disaster risk reduction strategies,” Keshinro said.