The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has sought stronger collaboration with the Nigerian Army to enhance flood preparedness, disaster response, and emergency management across the country ahead of the anticipated flooding season.
During a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja on Friday, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, stressed the need for sustained synergy between both institutions to effectively respond to the flood risks forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
Mrs. Umar said the request for enhanced collaboration had become necessary in view of predictions of increased flooding in several parts of the country, noting that effective preparedness and response would depend on coordinated efforts among critical stakeholders, including the Armed Forces.
She commended the Nigerian Army for its longstanding support to NEMA during emergency operations nationwide, describing the Army as a dependable partner whose engineering assets, logistics capabilities, Disaster Response Units (DRUs), and personnel have consistently played critical roles in search and rescue missions, evacuation of affected communities, and humanitarian interventions during disasters.
The NEMA Director General appealed for the continued deployment of the Army’s engineering assets and personnel, where required, to support flood mitigation and emergency response operations. She also informed the COAS of the Agency’s plans to conduct flood simulation exercises in selected locations as part of its preparedness strategy and invited the Nigerian Army to participate actively.
Mrs. Umar expressed appreciation for the existing cordial relationship between both organisations, expressing confidence that the partnership would be further strengthened through regular joint training, simulation exercises, information sharing, and coordinated emergency response efforts.
Responding, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to supporting NEMA’s disaster management mandate in line with its constitutional responsibility of providing military assistance to civil authorities when required.
He assured the Agency of the Army’s continued support in safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure during emergencies and disasters across the country.
The COAS also commended NEMA’s proactive approach to disaster management, noting that the reforms and strategic initiatives introduced under the leadership of Mrs. Zubaida Umar have significantly enhanced Nigeria’s disaster preparedness and response capacity.
The visit is part of NEMA’s ongoing strategic engagements with key stakeholders aimed at strengthening national preparedness and fostering a more coordinated and effective disaster management system.
