The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, convened a Sectoral Coordination Meeting in Abuja to strengthen multi-agency preparedness and response efforts ahead of the 2025 flood season.
Held at the Agency’s headquarters, the meeting brought together key representatives from federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as UN humanitarian partners, to enhance joint planning and ensure a unified national response.
Speaking on behalf of NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, the Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Dr. Onimode Abdullahi Bandele, declared the session open. He highlighted the critical need for early action based on seasonal predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), which forecast significant flood risks across multiple states.
“The aim is to foster robust coordination at all levels, harmonize contingency planning, and align sectoral efforts to ensure timely and inclusive response for vulnerable communities,” the DG stated in her message.
The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) Coordinator, Ms. Wagami Lydia Madu, emphasized the importance of sector-specific workplans to ensure cohesive and efficient action during emergencies.
Participants included representatives from the Federal Ministries of Water Resources and Sanitation, Women Affairs, Education, and Health, as well as the Nigerian Police Force, National Human Rights Commission, and international agencies such as WHO, UNHCR, UNICEF, and UNOCHA.
Discussions also focused on improving sectoral reporting and reviewing the current flood situation across the country.
