Zubaida Umar

The National Emergency Management Agency hosted a meeting of the Anticipatory Action Technical Working Group, an initiative aimed at strengthening proactive disaster preparedness ahead of the rainy season under the coordination of the Office of the Vice President.

We had a productive meeting firming up operational framework, aligning strategies and reinforcing synergy.

I played host to a delegation from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) led by Mr. Nasser Al-Subaie, during which we explored avenues to strengthen our partnership, particularly, in the provision of humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations in Nigeria.

With our agency’s close coordination, programmes of KSrelief in Nigeria have, over the years, complemented the efforts of the Federal Government in providing food assistance and relief to the distressed.

Wishing Nigerians a joyous Easter celebration!

Our 2026 National Essay Competition on disaster management is still open for entries from secondary school students, undergraduates of Nigerian tertiary institutions and serving NYSC Emergency Management Vanguard corpers across the 36 states and FCT.

Send your essay on the topic of your category to [email protected]

Submission deadline is April 15, 2026.

Best of luck!

NEMA Delivers Relief Items to Victims of Plateau Attack

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Friday, 3rd April 2026, delivered relief materials to victims of the attack of March 29, 2026, at Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The items were delivered on behalf of the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, by the Acting Director, North Central Zone, Dr. Adebiyi B. Razaq. While delivering the items, Dr. Razaq conveyed the sympathy of the Federal Government to the Government and people of Plateau State over the tragic incident.

He reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to providing timely humanitarian assistance to persons affected by disasters and emergencies across the country, noting that the intervention was aimed at alleviating the suffering of the victims.

The relief package comprised assorted medicaments, food items, and non-food items to support the affected persons. He also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured and comfort for families who lost loved ones.

In his response, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, who received the items on behalf of the victims, expressed appreciation to NEMA and the Federal Government for the prompt intervention. He assured that the State Government would work closely with NEMA to ensure transparent and equitable distribution of the relief materials to only those affected.

The presentation took place at the Government House, Jos, in the presence of key stakeholders, including representatives of security agencies, the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (PLSEMA), and other government officials. Also present were the Deputy Director, Search and Rescue, NEMA Headquarters, Mr. Eugene Louis Nyelong; the Head of NEMA Jos Operations Office, Hajiya Bintu Wana; the PLSEMA Executive Secretary, Dr. Sunday Abdu; and other relevant stakeholders.

3rd April, 2026

I held a strategic meeting with the delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross in Nigeria, led by their Head of Operations, Mr. Yannick, to discuss the acceleration of the implementation of the Mass Fatality Response Plan (MFRP) we launched a year ago.

We affirmed our joint commitment to ensuring dignified, coordinated and effective management of casualties during large-scale emergencies and disasters, which is the overarching objective of the MFRP.

Sequel to the technical meeting on the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction that was held yesterday, stakeholders from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies converged today for a meeting of the Emergency Coordination Forum to align strategies for accelerated implementation of our multi-sectoral disaster mitigation measures.

Such alignment has become imperative since preparedness must go beyond planning documents and translate into concrete, coordinated, and measurable interventions that will reduce vulnerability and protect lives and livelihoods.

Indeed, no single institution can respond effectively in isolation as disaster risk management is largely dependent on strong coordination.

With a renewed commitment, we are determined to pursue our shared purpose of building a more prepared, more resilient nation.

Announcing NEMA 2026 National Essay Competition

Today, the National Emergency Management Agency is pleased to launch a National Essay Competition designed to engage young Nigerians in an issue that affects every community—disaster preparedness, emergency response, and national resilience.

Across our country, floods, fires, building collapses, and other emergencies remind us that disasters do not give notice. Experience has taught us that preparedness saves lives, and awareness is the foundation of preparedness. This competition is therefore not just about writing essays; it is about shaping how young Nigerians think about risk, responsibility, and collective action.

The competition is open to secondary school students, students of tertiary institutions, and our National Youth Service Corps – Emergency Management Vanguards (NYSC-EMVs) across Nigeria.

For secondary school students, the topic is “My Role in Disaster Risk Reduction,” and it is intended to help young students reflect on their personal responsibility, the importance of preparation, and the power of community action during emergencies.

For tertiary institution students, the topic is, “Climate Change and Disaster Management in Nigeria,” and for the NYSC-EMVs, the topic to be explored is, “Technology for Disaster Response: Opportunities and Challenges.” These areas invite deeper analysis of policy, innovation, and long-term strategies for managing disaster risks in a changing world.

Essays for secondary school students should not exceed 500 words, while entries from tertiary students and the NYSC-EMVs should not be more than 1000 words. Submissions will be assessed on relevance, originality, and clarity by experts drawn from institutions specialising in disaster risk management and development communications experts.

Outstanding contributions will be rewarded. The best essay in each category will receive ₦500,000 and a trophy, while the first runner-up will receive ₦300,000 each and the second runner-up will receive N200, 000 each. The top ten entries in each category will also receive certificates and recognition.

The competition opens today, April 1, and closes on April 15, with winners to be announced subsequently.

This initiative reflects our belief that emergency management is a shared responsibility. When young people are informed and engaged, communities become safer and more resilient.

I therefore encourage students across Nigeria to participate actively, schools and institutions to support them, and the media to help amplify this important national conversation.

Together, we can build a safer, more prepared, and more resilient Nigeria.

Today, we convened a high-level technical meeting on the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction earlier released by NIMET to enhance national preparedness for climate-related hazards, particularly flooding.

Nigeria has continued to experience increasing impact on climate variability, particularly flooding, which has affected food production, infrastructure and national development efforts.

These experiences have consistently highlighted gaps in coordination, preparedness and early action. With the inclusion of the 2025 After Action Review (AAR), the meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on past responses, identify systemic gaps and ensure that our data-driven, proactive approach going forward is informed by practical experience and lessons learned.

With great delight, I joined other eminent personalities at the International Women’s Day celebration organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in collaboration with the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).

The theme, “Communicate to Balance: Gain Equity, Empower Women,” underscores the role of communication in driving inclusion and social justice.

Memories of a great Convention...
Our 2026 National Convention was a success. May God bless our dear party. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A STRATEGIC VISIONARY AT 74

Heartfelt congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on your 74th birthday.

We're extending sincere best wishes from the NEMA team and Nigeria's disaster risk management family.

May Almighty Allah bless you with good health, wisdom, and strength to continue to lead our nation towards a safer, more resilient future.

Happy Birthday, Sir!