- NEMA launches a nationwide disaster preparedness campaign for 2026
- Campaign theme focuses on strengthening disaster risk governance in Nigeria.
- The agency urges communities to identify evacuation centres before emergencies
The National Emergency Management Agency has launched a nationwide campaign aimed at reducing disaster-related deaths and losses ahead of the 2026 rainy season.
Speaking on Friday, May 15, in Calabar during the inauguration of the National Disaster Preparedness and Response Campaign 2026, the Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, said the initiative was designed to strengthen early warning systems and improve coordinated emergency response across the country.
The campaign, themed “Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Nigeria,” focuses on protecting lives and livelihoods, especially in flood-prone communities expected to be heavily impacted during the rainy season.
Umar noted that flooding remains one of Nigeria’s most devastating recurring disasters, destroying homes, farmlands and public infrastructure while displacing thousands of residents every year.
According to NEMA statistics, floods claimed 241 lives in 2025, a decline from the 321 deaths recorded in 2024.
However, the impact remained widespread, with 433,578 people affected nationwide, 144,790 displaced, and 839 others injured.
The agency also reported that 52,592 houses were damaged, while 74,767 acres of farmland were destroyed by flooding in 2025.
She revealed that the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Flood Outlook identified 33 states, including Cross River State and the Federal Capital Territory, as high-risk flood zones.
“Following this, NEMA convened an expert review meeting in April to assess forecasts and develop a preparedness and mitigation framework to reduce flood impacts nationwide,” Umar said.
The NEMA DG urged state governments and residents living in vulnerable communities to identify safe evacuation centres before emergencies occur and strengthen disaster preparedness at the grassroots level.
She also appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, media organisations and private sector stakeholders to support flood awareness campaigns and improve public risk communication across the country.
During the visit, Umar paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, where she called for stronger proactive measures to tackle flooding and improve disaster management efforts in the state.
Otu commended NEMA’s preparedness drive and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to partnering with the agency to strengthen emergency response systems.
The event attracted representatives from emergency response agencies, the military, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, farmers’ associations, as well as traditional and religious institutions.
Flooding continues to pose a major challenge across Nigeria, with several states recording deaths, displacement and destruction yearly during the rainy season.
Emergency agencies have consistently warned residents in vulnerable areas to adopt preventive measures in line with forecasts issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.
NEMA distributes relief materials following tragic tanker fire in Niger
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that in response to the devastating petrol tanker fire disaster at Dikko Junction, Niger State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had swiftly distributed food, non-food items, and medical supplies to support the victims and affected families.
The disaster claimed the lives of 98 individuals, injured 69 others, and destroyed 20 shops in the vicinity.
NEMA’s Director General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, explained that the intervention was in response to President Bola Tinubu’s directive and the Federal Government’s commitment to helping the community recover from the devastating event.