The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has launched a forward-looking emergency response initiative while reinforcing its partnership with the Department of State Services (DSS). This move underscores the agency’s dedication to mitigating disasters through proactive measures.
Director General Zubaida Umar emphasized this commitment during a meeting with a delegation from the DSS’s Simulation and Crisis Management Directorate at NEMA’s headquarters in Abuja. She highlighted that the agency is ramping up efforts to reduce risks and enhance community resilience via early warning systems, preparedness activities, and coordinated response strategies.
“Our focus remains on advancing a proactive and risk-informed approach to disaster management, with emphasis on early warning dissemination, preparedness, mitigation, and coordinated response to emerging threats,” Umar stated.
She noted that after the release of the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction by NiMet and the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook by NIHSA, NEMA activated measures to lessen the impact of anticipated flooding during the rainy season. The agency has increased stakeholder engagement, convened technical coordination platforms, and launched sensitization campaigns targeting state governments and vulnerable communities.
Umar assured the DSS delegation of NEMA’s readiness to bolster cooperation in disaster preparedness, simulation planning, and emergency response. “We are ready to continue working closely to enhance coordinated emergency response across the country,” she added.
Acting Assistant Director General of the Directorate, Safiya Yusuf, stated that the visit aimed to strengthen institutional cooperation and improve national crisis response mechanisms. She noted the Directorate’s role in providing support before, during, and after emergencies, and affirmed its commitment to working with NEMA to improve preparedness nationwide.
The statement was released on NEMA’s official page on May 4, 2026.