NEMA Moves to Strengthen Early Warning Preparedness for Climate-Related Disasters
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has mobilized key stakeholders in the emergency and disaster management sector to bolster Nigeria's early warning systems as the 2026 rainy and flood season approaches. This initiative comes as Nigeria reports a notable reduction in climate-related fatalities, underscoring the urgency of proactive measures.
Director General Emphasizes Timely Action
Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, highlighted that timely, coordinated, and evidence-based actions are crucial for saving lives and property from climate-related disasters. She made these remarks at a Technical Meeting on the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) and the Presentation of the After Action Review (AAR), held in Abuja under the theme 'Strengthening Multisectoral Preparedness and Early Action for Climate Disasters in Nigeria'.
Umar explained that the 2026 seasonal climate prediction, released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), offers stakeholders a forward-looking perspective on expected rainfall patterns, temperature variations, and other climate indicators. "These projections are not just merely scientific outputs; they are decision-making tools that must guide preparedness action across all sectors," she stated.
Addressing Climate Variability and Coordination Gaps
In recent years, Nigeria has faced increasing impacts from climate variability, particularly flooding, which has affected livelihoods, infrastructure, and national development efforts. Umar noted that these experiences have consistently revealed gaps in coordination, preparedness, and early action. "This meeting is designed to bridge the gap between climate information and action. It is expected that stakeholders will critically examine the implications of the SCP and translate them into specific preparedness measures," she added.
Umar insisted that preparedness must be proactive rather than reactive, requiring timely planning, clear rules, and strong coordination across all relevant sectors and levels of government. "The effectiveness of our collective response will depend on the strength of our collaboration and the actions we take following this meeting," she emphasized.
Significant Progress in Flood Management
Mr. Dapo Akingbade of NEMA's Planning Research and Statistics unit presented statistics from the review of 2025 climate change research studies, revealing significant progress in flood disaster management compared to 2024. The data showed:
- 2024 Impact: Over 5 million people affected, more than 1 million displaced, 1,000 deaths, 16,000 injuries, and over 100,000 houses destroyed across 35 states.
- 2025 Impact: 459,195 people affected, 158,000 displaced, 241 deaths, and over 54,000 houses affected across 27 states.
Akingbade attributed the sharp reduction in deaths to the early dissemination of forecasts and prompt actions in 2025. "Because of the nature of flooding in Nigeria, we want to see how we have prepared and responded to flood in 2025, identify successes, gaps, and lessons from preparedness and response activities for improved disaster risk management in Nigeria," he said.
Lessons Learned and Future Directions
Drawing from the lessons of the 2025 season, NEMA called for translating forecasts into effective action by strengthening coordination, improving communication, and investing in resilience. These steps are deemed critical to reducing future climate change disasters and ensuring a more robust disaster management framework in Nigeria.
