The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, has urged governments at the sub-national levels to commence proactive measures to prevent and mitigate flooding across Nigeria.
Mrs Umar made the call during a visit to Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri in Yola, as part of activities marking the stakeholders’ engagement and flag-off of the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards.
The NEMA boss said early action against flooding is necessary following predictions that more than 30 states may experience serious flooding during the 2026 rainy season.
READ ALSO: NEMA DG Urges Stronger NIHSA Ties to Tackle Flooding
She called on states to reintroduce and enforce monthly environmental sanitation, regularly clear drainages and waterways, strengthen State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), and ensure Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) are established and functional at the grassroots level.
The NEMA boss further disclosed that in response to the forecasts, the Agency has developed the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework to guide coordinated efforts towards reducing flood impacts nationwide.
“Through NEMA’s Flood Early Warning System, the Agency has identified flood risk profiles and produced vulnerability maps for at-risk communities across the country to support targeted disaster risk reduction planning by Federal, State, and Local Government,” She said.
Mrs Umar also called on traditional institutions, religious organisations, women and youth groups, the media, and the private sector to support NEMA in amplifying early warning messages and promoting community preparedness.
The DG, NEMA, also addressed participants at the flag-off event, where she urged them to play their respective roles and amplify the early warning messages within their various communities.
Responding, Governor Umaru Fintiri commended NEMA for its proactive approach towards disaster preparedness and response, particularly the early warning and sensitisation campaigns being undertaken ahead of the rainy season.
The Governor assured the Agency that the State Government would carefully consider and implement the recommendations and advice provided by the DG, NEMA, to reduce the impact of flooding in the state.
