In a decisive move to avert the devastating impact of floods across Nigeria, the National Economic Council (NEC) has ordered the immediate strengthening of State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) in all 36 states.
The Council further mandated the Federal Ministry of Finance to release emergency funds to bolster national and state-level flood preparedness.
The resolution followed a detailed presentation by Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), during the Council’s meeting on Nigeria’s 2025 flood readiness and response framework.
Umar highlighted NEMA’s key achievements since 2024, including the development of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy and Action Plan (2024–2027) with United Nations support, and the ongoing validation of the Nigeria Hazard Risk Countrywide Analysis (2024).
She also stressed the agency’s enhanced partnerships with the military, police, Civil Defence Corps, and Red Cross to improve disaster risk reduction and relief operations.
According to her, critical 2025 preparedness measures have already been activated. These include:
Early expert reviews of meteorological forecasts and timely communication of flood predictions to states (May–June).
Deployment of search and rescue equipment to high-risk states.
Strengthening of SEMAs and creation of Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs).
Activation of the Emergency Coordination Forum and full-scale Emergency Operations Centre (since May 29, 2025).
Nationwide downscaling of early warning messages to local communities through the National Preparedness and Response Campaign.
However, the NEMA boss warned that significant challenges persist. These include weak drainage systems, delayed data reporting by states, insecurity in flood-prone areas, underperforming SEMAs, and inactive LEMCs.
She also flagged poor compliance with urban planning regulations, inadequate waste management practices, and weak environmental hygiene as critical obstacles to effective flood management.
In response, NEC directed local governments and communities to take ownership of flood mitigation efforts by engaging in awareness campaigns and promptly reporting early warning signs.
To ensure rapid action, NEC instructed the Federal Ministry of Finance to release funds to state governments, the Federal Capital Territory, and designated federal agencies for urgent flood preparedness and response.
