ONE YEAR AS DG, NEMA

My First Year at the helm of the National Emergency Management Agency

As I mark one full year as Director General of NEMA, I want to share, in my own words, the achievements we have secured together—things that are concrete, measurable and meaningful. This is a report from me to you, citizens of our nation, on what we’ve done.

1. Responding to the 2024 Flood Crisis

When the flood season of 2024 hit, affecting millions across Nigeria, our agency sprang into action. We mobilised teams, distributed relief materials, established temporary shelters, and coordinated evacuations in partnership with state governments, the military and other humanitarian stakeholders.

Even before many of the waters surged, we had strengthened our early-warning systems and pre-positioned rescue teams in vulnerable zones, so that within hours of an incident being reported, we were already on the ground providing rescue, shelter, medical aid and food. Through this, we were able to reduce loss of life and property more effectively than in previous similar emergencies.

2. Building and Deploying Technology-Driven Monitoring Systems

We launched a centralised emergency response dashboard during the year. This is real-time: incidents are logged, resources are mobilised, responses are tracked. This kind of digital backbone lets us act rapidly and with more precision.

With better data and coordination tools, our response teams are less fragmented and more effective.

3. Capacity Building & Community Engagement

One of our major priorities was strengthening the human side: staff, volunteers and communities.

We delivered training programmes in disaster management, risk reduction and community engagement for NEMA personnel and volunteers.
We specifically designed outreach to rural and vulnerable populations, women, persons with disabilities, remote communities, so that they are no longer passive recipients of aid, but active participants in preparedness and response.

By doing this we’ve helped foster resilience at the grassroots.

4. Enhancing Early-Warning Systems & Pre-Emptive Measures

Rather than wait for disasters to hit, we invested heavily in warning systems and pre-emptive actions.

We partnered with hydrological and meteorological services to deliver alerts via radio, TV, social media, and built capacity in communities to heed them.

We also pre-positioned rescue equipment and teams in high-risk zones ahead of predicted disasters, which allowed us to respond more quickly and with better coordination.

5. Strengthening Partnerships Locally and Internationally

Disaster-management cannot be done in isolation. Over the year, we expanded and deepened partnerships:

With state emergency-management agencies across Nigeria.
With the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for capacity, material support and best-practice exchange.
With military and civilian first-responders, humanitarian NGOs, and community organisations.

This network means that when the next emergency comes, we don’t just rely on NEMA, we have a responsive ecosystem.

6. Post-Disaster Assessment and Relief Distribution

Responding to disasters is important, but so is what happens after.
After major flood events we conducted assessment missions, catalogued damage, determined needs and distributed relief items: shelter materials, food, hygiene-kits.

In parts of the country hit by combined rain and wind-storms, we moved quickly to deliver relief items to affected persons. By doing so, we help move from immediate response into recovery and resilience.

What These Achievements Mean

Faster, better-coordinated responses: With the new dashboard and pre-positioning, our mobilisations are quicker.
More resilient communities: When citizens understand risk, know how to respond, and have resources ready, disasters lose much of their dominance.
A more credible and accountable system: Technology and partnerships bring transparency, tracking and performance.
A foundation for the future: The work we’ve done in this year is not only about one disaster season, it’s about building capacity for many to come.

In Closing

A year in this role has taught me much. There have been challenges, logistics, geographic spread, multiple hazards occurring simultaneously. Yet I am proud of the progress we have made.

Going forward, I commit myself to staying focused on what matters: lives protected, communities strengthened, and Nigeria better prepared.

Thank you to the staff of NEMA, our partners across government, civil society and international organisations, and most importantly to Nigerians who trust us to protect them.

We’ve made a good start, but there is more to be done.

Zubaida Umar, DG, NEMA