NEMA, UNDP COLLABORATE ON NATIONAL STRATEGY TO TRANSFORM DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA
The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has said that the Agency is partnering with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to advance a proactive approach to disaster management in Nigeria through the development of the National Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Strategy (2025–2030) and its accompanying Action Plan (2025–2028).
Mrs. Zubaida Umar made this known in Abuja during the final validation workshop on the Strategy and Action Plan, jointly organized by NEMA, the African Union Commission (AUC), and UNDP under the Sahel Resilience Project.
The Director General NEMA who was represented by the Director of Disaster Risk Reduction, Dr. Ishaya Chonoko, said “the National DRR Strategy (2025–2030) and Action Plan (2025–2028) provide a forward-looking roadmap to strengthen resilience across critical sectors. Anchored on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and aligned with national and global commitments, the Strategy will ensure disaster risk reduction becomes an integral part of Nigeria’s development planning. ”
Mrs. Zubaida Umar said that the success of the Strategy will depend on inclusivity, collaboration, and shared ownership. She called for active involvement of government, communities, the private sector, academia, civil society, and development partners.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshiro, commended NEMA for the initiative and underscored the importance of ensuring gender inclusivity and prioritizing the needs of women and children for effective outcomes.
Also speaking, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah who was represented by Mrs. Ibironke Olubamise, described the Strategy as “more than a document, but a blueprint for action.” She emphasized that, once validated, the Strategy will institutionalize multi-hazard risk assessments in planning, strengthen impact-based early warning systems, enhance coordination among institutions, build community resilience, and promote inclusivity, particularly for vulnerable groups.
She recalled the devastating floods of 2022 and 2024, which displaced millions, as stark reminders of the urgency of proactive risk reduction. She further revealed that the National Disaster Loss and Damage Database, developed under NEMA’s leadership, had recorded over 45,000 disaster incidents across the country, covering 23 priority hazards, providing critical evidence to guide resilience planning.
The Assistant Director and Head of Hazard and Disaster Management at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Prince Ademuyiwa Oyewumi, pledged NASRDA’s support, highlighting the vital role of science and technology in disaster preparedness. He stressed that geospatial data, satellite monitoring, and early warning tools will be essential in strengthening governance and decision-making under the new Strategy.
The National DRR Strategy and Action Plan represent a decisive shift in Nigeria’s disaster management framework. By moving from a reactive culture of response to one focused on prevention, preparedness, and resilience, Nigeria is charting a new course to safeguard lives, protect livelihoods, and secure sustainable national development.
Signed:
Manzo Ezekiel
Head, NEMA Press Unit
19th August, 2025
