NEMA DG Urges Stronger State-Level Collaboration for Effective Disaster Management
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, has urged State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) across Nigeria to enhance collaboration and synergy to improve disaster management at both state and grassroots levels.
Mrs Umar made the call at the opening of the National SEMA Conference 2025, held at the Balmoral Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, hosted by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) in partnership with NEMA. The conference was attended by heads of SEMAs from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
From Reactive to Proactive Disaster Management
In her address, Mrs Umar emphasised the need for disaster management to shift from reactive measures to proactive strategies.
“Emergency management can no longer be reactive—it must be predictive, preventive, and participatory,” she stated. “Our citizens should not encounter us only when disaster strikes; they should see us every day, building safer communities, raising awareness, and ensuring preparedness.”
She described the conference as “a call to action” and urged stakeholders to prioritise the protection of lives and property, while fostering resilient communities.
Mrs Umar also praised Lagos State for its innovation in decentralising response units, leveraging technology, and mobilising communities, noting that “Lagos has shown that with vision and commitment, significant progress can be made in disaster management.”
NEMA’s Strategic Commitments
During the conference, Mrs Umar reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to:
- Strengthening early warning systems.
- Improving data collection and disaster forecasting.
- Expanding capacity-building initiatives at the grassroots.
- Promoting transparency and accountability in all interventions.
Representing the Lagos State Governor, Deputy Governor Dr Kadri Hamzat reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to disaster preparedness and commended NEMA and LASEMA for organising the conference.
Recognition and Expert Presentations
In recognition of her leadership in disaster risk reduction, Mrs Umar was decorated as an Honorary Member of the Risk Managers Society of Nigeria by its President, Dr Idris Abbas.
The first day of the conference featured expert presentations, including:
- Dr Adeleke Olusegun Pitan: “From Risk to Readiness: Strengthening Disaster Preparedness at the Sub-National Level.”
- Mr Ade Ipaye: “Legal, Policy and Revenue Reforms as Enablers of Emergency Management.”
- Mr Bamgbose Martin: “Emergency Services: A Clarion Call.”
Their discussions highlighted the importance of proactive planning, strong legal frameworks, and sustainable financing for effective emergency management.
Structured Approach to National Preparedness
Dr Femi Oke-Osayintolu, Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, stated that the conference provided a structured platform for stakeholders to deliberate on strategies to strengthen preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience nationwide.
Earlier in June 2025, NEMA conducted a strategic planning workshop to develop its operational blueprint for disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery, focusing on building institutional capacity, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring rapid disaster response.
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