By Abdullahi Lukman
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and key stakeholders, has convened in Abuja to review and validate Nigeria’s National Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Strategy (2025–2030) and Action Plan (2025–2028).
The initiative aims to shift Nigeria’s disaster response from reactive to proactive by building resilience, strengthening institutions, and integrating climate adaptation and risk reduction across sectors.
NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar, represented by Dr. Ishaya Chonoko, highlighted that the Strategy is designed to tackle rising threats from natural hazards, pandemics, environmental degradation, and climate change. It aligns with the Sendai Framework and other global and regional commitments.
Umar emphasized inclusivity, collaboration, and shared responsibility among government bodies, civil society, private sector, and communities, noting that the Strategy must become a practical tool that safeguards lives and development gains.
UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, represented by Ibironke Olubamise, said the Strategy results from extensive nationwide consultations and reflects the priorities of diverse stakeholders.
She stressed that Nigeria’s growing population and climate-related disasters call for urgent, coordinated action.
Referencing past flood events in 2022 and 2024 that displaced millions and claimed hundreds of lives, Attafuah described disasters as not just statistics but deeply human crises that undermine national stability and food security.
She noted that the National Disaster Loss and Damage Database, developed under NEMA’s leadership, has documented over 45,000 incidents, offering critical data to inform resilience planning.
Once validated, the Strategy will enable integrated multi-hazard risk assessments, strengthen early warning systems, enhance institutional coordination, and embed support for vulnerable groups.
The DRR Strategy was refined through extensive technical reviews and developed in partnership with AUC, ECOWAS, UN Agencies, and IFRC, positioning Nigeria to lead regional resilience efforts.
