By Kingsley Adegboye

In every nation, the strength of its emergency management system is measured not only by how it responds to disasters, but by how well it prepares for them. In Nigeria, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has steadily evolved into a proactive, coordinated, and people-centred institution at the heart of national resilience.
Since 2024, under the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Agency has recorded significant milestones that demonstrate both operational agility and strategic foresight. With Mrs Zubaida Umar as Director General, and strategic oversight from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the Governing Council, NEMA has shifted from primarily reactive disaster response to a prevention-driven, and risk-informed emergency management system.
Across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the Agency’s work between 2024 and 2026 reflects a structured effort to save lives, reduce vulnerabilities, and restore dignity to affected communities.
Food Support
One of the most impactful humanitarian interventions coordinated by NEMA was the nationwide distribution of 42,000 metric tons of assorted grains released from the National Strategic Grain Reserve in 2024.
At a time of rising food costs and economic pressure on vulnerable households, the initiative provided critical relief to internally displaced persons, widows, persons with disabilities, and low-income families. Working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser, NEMA ensured transparent allocation and seamless handover of commodities to state governments and the FCT Administration for onward distribution.
The exercise, carried out across the federation, did more than provide food support; it reinforced public trust in federal humanitarian systems and demonstrated the Agency’s logistics coordination capacity on a national scale. Enhanced monitoring mechanisms introduced during the expanded 2025 phase strengthened last-mile delivery and accountability.
Rehabilitation
Beyond emergency relief, NEMA embraced long-term recovery planning. The Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict, launched in July 2024, marked a historic shift toward structured rehabilitation.
The first implementation in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, provided shelter, livelihood starter kits, and community infrastructure to affected populations. The programme, which began in seven pilot states, expanded into additional beneficiary communities in 2025 and 2026.
This initiative represents a deliberate move away from prolonged relief dependency toward sustainable reintegration. By aligning rehabilitation efforts with state recovery frameworks and humanitarian partners, NEMA strengthened pathways for economic self-reliance among beneficiaries.
Flood Campaign
Flooding remains one of Nigeria’s most recurrent natural hazards. Recognising this, NEMA intensified preventive action through the National Preparedness and Response Campaign, launched in Abuja in May 2025.
The campaign mobilised staff and partners across all states and the FCT, engaging traditional rulers, schools, market associations, transport unions, and faith groups. Early warning messages were translated into local languages to improve grassroots understanding of evacuation protocols and risk reduction measures.
By institutionalising the campaign as an annual national preparedness programme, NEMA shifted disaster management from seasonal reaction to sustained community engagement. Reports from flood-prone areas indicated improved evacuation compliance and reduced casualty exposure during peak flood periods.
Simulations
Complementing public sensitisation efforts, NEMA introduced full-scale flood preparedness and response simulation exercises in high-risk states, including Anambra, Kano, Kebbi, and Rivers.
These drills tested coordination frameworks among the Armed Forces, the Police, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the State Emergency Management Agencies, local volunteers, and community leaders.
For the first time, community-level responders were integrated into structured operational simulations, clarifying roles and strengthening interagency synergy. The exercises also established standardised flood response playbooks applicable nationwide.
This proactive testing of capacities marked a turning point in Nigeria’s flood risk governance architecture.
Risk Planning
In strengthening Nigeria’s disaster management framework, NEMA collaborated with partners to deliver two landmark instruments, the Nigeria Hazard Risk Countrywide Analysis 2024 and the National Mass Fatalities Response Plan.
The Hazard Risk Analysis provides comprehensive multi-hazard mapping across all states and the FCT, covering flooding, erosion, drought, windstorms, urban fires, industrial risks, disease outbreaks, and conflict adjacent stressors. This evidence-based planning tool enables smarter resource allocation and preparedness financing.
The National Mass Fatalities Response Plan establishes unified protocols for managing incidents involving multiple fatalities. It sets standards for ethical handling of victims, family support, and interagency coordination during large-scale emergencies.
Together, these frameworks ensure that Nigeria is better equipped both to anticipate risks and to manage worst-case scenarios with professionalism and dignity.
Emergency Response
While strengthening preparedness systems, NEMA has also demonstrated improved responsiveness during crises.
In September 2024, severe flooding caused by the overflow of Alau Dam devastated parts of Maiduguri. Thousands were displaced, and urgent humanitarian assistance was required. The Director General personally led on-site coordination, mobilising additional support from zonal offices in Kano, Gombe, and Jos. Mobile water treatment units were deployed to prevent disease outbreaks, and large-scale relief distribution was executed swiftly.
Similarly, in May 2025, severe flooding in the Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State displaced communities and disrupted livelihoods. NEMA conducted rapid assessments, deployed relief materials, and worked closely with the Niger State Government to stabilise affected populations.
The Agency also responded promptly to major urban market fire incidents, conducting assessments, distributing relief support, and intensifying nationwide fire prevention sensitisation campaigns.
Across regions, the Agency’s activation time and coordination mechanisms have significantly improved, reflecting strengthened interagency partnerships.

Coordination
Between 2024 and 2026, NEMA deepened collaboration with federal institutions, including the Armed Forces, the Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency.
The operational autonomy of zonal offices was expanded, enabling faster, localised interventions. The upgrade of the National Emergency Operations Centre and the Situation Room enhanced real-time disaster monitoring, integrated weather and hydrological data tracking, and improved nationwide early warning dissemination.
These institutional reforms elevated NEMA’s standing as a data-driven and strategically coordinated agency.
Recognition
It is against this backdrop of measurable humanitarian impact, institutional reform, and proactive national engagement that NEMA is being honoured as Humanitarian Agency of the Year at the Vanguard Personality of the Year Award.
The recognition underscores the Agency’s transformation into a modern emergency management institution that not only responds to crises, but actively works to prevent them. It reflects the dedication of its leadership, operational staff, and partners across the federation who continue to serve in challenging environments.
The honour affirms NEMA’s role as a central pillar in Nigeria’s humanitarian architecture.
Conclusion
From food security interventions and rehabilitation schemes to flood simulations, risk mapping, and real-time coordination upgrades, NEMA’s trajectory between 2024 and 2026 signals decisive evolution.
By combining proactive planning, strong partnerships, and visible field leadership, the Agency has strengthened national resilience and restored hope to disaster affected communities.
As Nigeria navigates climate variability, urban expansion, and complex humanitarian pressures, NEMA’s growing capacity positions it not only as a responder of last resort but also as a strategic guardian of human security and national stability.

Vanguard News