By Abdulkadir Ibrahim
In disaster management, the true measure of leadership is not merely the ability to respond after tragedy strikes, but the capacity to anticipate danger, mobilise institutions and protect lives before disaster occurs. This is the defining philosophy that has increasingly characterised the leadership of Zubaida Umar at the National Emergency Management Agency.
Over the years, flooding has remained one of Nigeria’s most devastating natural disasters, displacing thousands of families, destroying farmlands, crippling local economies and claiming lives across several states. However, recent interventions by NEMA under the stewardship of Mrs. Umar have begun to change the national disaster management narrative from reactive emergency response to proactive disaster risk reduction.
One of the most significant achievements of the agency in recent years has been the strengthening of flood early warning systems and the deliberate downscaling of flood alerts to vulnerable communities at the grassroots. This strategic approach has contributed immensely to the noticeable reduction in the scale of flood disasters recorded in several high-risk areas.
Rather than allowing flood predictions to remain as technical reports circulating within government offices, NEMA under Mrs. Umar has ensured that warnings are simplified, localised and transmitted directly to communities most at risk. Through collaboration with state governments, traditional institutions, local emergency committees, community volunteers, women groups, youth associations and the media, early warning information now reaches ordinary citizens in understandable formats and in good time.
This people-centred disaster management model reflects a clear understanding that information saves lives only when it reaches those who need it most.
The recent flag-off of the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards in Adamawa State further demonstrated the agency’s commitment to preventive action. During a courtesy visit to the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Mrs. Umar emphasised the need for coordinated action among all stakeholders to mitigate the impact of predicted flooding across Nigeria.
She disclosed that NEMA had already developed the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework and produced flood vulnerability maps for communities at risk across the federation. These measures are not merely bureaucratic exercises; they represent practical tools for saving lives, protecting infrastructure and reducing economic losses.
Beyond policy formulation, the agency has also commenced the nationwide downscaling and dissemination of flood early warning messages and preparedness campaigns across states identified as vulnerable to flooding. Through strategic engagements with state emergency management agencies, local authorities and community stakeholders, NEMA has continued to strengthen public awareness and preparedness at both state and community levels.
Already, the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards has been flagged off in several states across the federation, including Adamawa State, katsna state, Anambra State, Bayelsa State, Jigawa State and Delta State, with more sensitisation and stakeholder engagements expected in other flood-prone states nationwide.
The nationwide sensitisation and downscaling exercise is designed to ensure that climate and flood risk information gets to the last mile, particularly rural and riverine communities that are often the most exposed to flood disasters. Across the country, communities are being educated on evacuation procedures, safe relocation practices, environmental sanitation, drainage clearance and other preventive measures aimed at reducing disaster impact before flooding occurs.
Equally commendable is the agency’s emphasis on community ownership of disaster preparedness. By encouraging the establishment and strengthening of Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs), promoting environmental sanitation, and advocating the clearing of drainage systems and waterways, NEMA is institutionalising resilience at the grassroots level.
The impact of these interventions is becoming increasingly evident. Communities that previously suffered annual devastation are now better informed, more organised and more responsive to evacuation advisories and safety protocols. State governments are also becoming more proactive due to sustained engagement and pressure from NEMA’s nationwide sensitisation campaigns.
Importantly, the leadership style of Mrs. Zubaida Umar reflects professionalism, coordination and strategic foresight. At a time when climate change is intensifying weather-related disasters globally, Nigeria requires institutions that are agile, data-driven and community-focused. NEMA’s current direction suggests a growing alignment with global best practices in disaster risk management.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s commendation of NEMA during the Adamawa engagement was therefore not surprising. His acknowledgment of the agency’s proactive sensitisation and preparedness efforts underscores the increasing confidence state governments now place in NEMA’s leadership and operational framework.
Indeed, disaster management is often one of the least appreciated sectors until emergencies occur. Yet, behind every prevented disaster are countless hours of planning, risk assessment, stakeholder engagement, simulations, sensitisation campaigns and logistics coordination. The gradual reduction in flood-related casualties and destruction in several vulnerable areas is not accidental; it is the product of deliberate leadership and sustained institutional commitment.
As Nigeria braces for future climate-related challenges, continuity in proactive disaster management policies will remain essential. The ongoing efforts by the National Emergency Management Agency under Mrs. Zubaida Umar provide a strong template for how leadership, preparedness and grassroots engagement can collectively reduce the human and economic cost of natural disasters.
In the final analysis, the success of any emergency management institution lies not only in how it responds to crises, but in how effectively it prevents them. On that score, the current leadership of NEMA deserves recognition for steadily building a culture of preparedness that is helping to safeguard communities across Nigeria.
Abdulkadir Ibrahim
NEMA Press Unit
22.05.2026
