In a proactive move to mitigate the anticipated impact of severe flooding across the country, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has launched a nationwide sensitization campaign, deploying staff to flood-prone communities across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The agency is urging state governments to urgently designate and prepare safer high-ground locations to accommodate residents who may be displaced by the floods, predicted to hit various parts of Nigeria in the coming months.
According to the agency, 43 local government areas in 12 states have been identified as high-risk zones. An additional 27 local government areas in 12 other states, including the FCT, fall under moderate-risk classification, while the remaining areas across 13 states are categorized as low flood-risk zones.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement in Abuja to flag off the 2025 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on flood and related hazards, NEMA Director-General Zubaida Umar emphasized that preparedness must begin at the grassroots.
“We have formally contacted all state governments through letters and follow-up visits by our zonal and state offices,” Umar stated. “We’ve requested them to identify and prepare safer grounds for possible relocation of residents. While we’ve received some responses, there remains a significant gap in coordination with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs).”
She lamented the prevailing perception that disaster response is the sole responsibility of NEMA, stressing that effective disaster management begins at the local level.
“It is a dangerous misconception to view NEMA as the first and only responder. Disasters are fundamentally local. Communities must be empowered and equipped to lead initial response efforts,” she said.
To reinforce its early warning efforts, NEMA has produced community-specific flood vulnerability maps, which Umar said would help guide all tiers of government in developing and implementing targeted risk reduction strategies.
Beginning today, May 15, NEMA’s zonal and operational offices have commenced simultaneous deployment of sensitization teams to at-risk communities nationwide. These teams, supported by SEMAs, LEMCs, and local volunteers, will engage directly with residents, disseminating early warning messages and promoting preparedness at the grassroots level.
“Our strategy is to take the early warning to the people directly — to the farms, the homes, the schools. We are not waiting for floods to hit before acting,” Umar emphasized.
She expressed optimism that this year’s campaign — the most extensive yet — will significantly reduce the human and economic toll of Nigeria’s annual flooding challenges.
“With the structures we have put in place, we are hopeful that we will see fewer casualties and disruptions. It is our collective responsibility to safeguard lives, property, and livelihoods,” she concluded.
NEMA’s latest move reflects a broader shift toward decentralizing disaster preparedness and building resilience in communities historically affected by seasonal flooding. As rainfall intensifies and climate patterns become more erratic, the success of these interventions will depend heavily on state-level commitment and public cooperation.
