The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with Sahel Consulting, has officially launched the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards in Taraba State. The agency warned that 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) face a high risk of flooding during the upcoming rainy season.
Campaign Flag-Off in Jalingo
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held in Jalingo on Friday, the Director-General of NEMA, Hajia Zubaida Umar, stated that the campaign is themed “Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Nigeria.” She emphasized that the initiative aims to promote early and coordinated action to safeguard lives and livelihoods across the country. Represented by the North-East Zonal Director of NEMA, Alhaji Sulaiman Yakubu, Umar noted that recurrent flooding continues to cause heavy human and economic losses annually.
“Flooding claims lives, destroys livelihoods, damages infrastructure worth billions of naira each year, and leaves many communities displaced and vulnerable,” she said.
High-Risk Zones Identified
Umar recalled projections from the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA). These reports identified 23 states and 132 local government areas as high-risk flood zones. Additionally, 14 states and 148 LGAs were classified as moderate-risk areas. She explained that the outlook also highlighted potential climate-related challenges, including delayed or erratic rainfall, shorter growing seasons, above-normal rainfall in some locations, prolonged dry spells, and rising temperatures. These conditions could significantly affect key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, transportation, energy, water supply, education, and overall public wellbeing.
NEMA's Mitigation Framework
To mitigate the anticipated impacts, Umar announced that NEMA had developed the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework. This framework focuses on strengthening the capacity of local responders, conducting simulation and tabletop exercises, ensuring compliance with rainfall advisories, pre-positioning relief materials in vulnerable communities, assessing critical infrastructure, and developing community evacuation plans. “NEMA’s Flood Early Warning System has also produced vulnerability maps for all at-risk communities to support targeted planning and intervention by federal, state, and local authorities,” she added. Umar expressed confidence that the campaign would improve disaster preparedness and reduce the impact of flooding across the country, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Seasonal Climate Prediction for Taraba
Presenting NiMet’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction for Taraba State, Mr. Blessing Akanbi said the rainy season is expected to commence between April 11 and May 16. According to Akanbi, the earliest onset is projected around April 11 in Sardauna, Takum, Ussa, and Kurmi local government areas, while Donga, Gashaka, Wukari, Bali, and Gassol are expected to experience rainfall onset from April 19. He added that Jalingo, Ardo-Kola, Yorro, and Zing LGAs are likely to record onset from May 5, while Lau and Karim Lamido LGAs are expected to experience the latest onset from May 13.
State Government's Response
In his remarks, the Taraba State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Special Duties, Mr. Savior Noku, commended NEMA and its partners for adopting a proactive approach to disaster management. Noku said the state government is already taking steps to relocate residents from disaster-prone communities to safer locations. “With Taraba sharing a long stretch of the River Benue and several other rivers, the government remains committed to implementing measures that will reduce the impact of flooding,” he said.
Partner Support
Also speaking, the representative of Sahel Consulting, Miss Henrietta Gurumlat, praised NEMA for the initiative and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at reducing disaster risks across Nigeria.
