The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s flood preparedness and emergency response mechanisms ahead of the 2025 rainy season.
During a courtesy visit by a JICA delegation to NEMA headquarters in Abuja, NEMA Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, highlighted the agency’s proactive initiatives to mitigate the anticipated impacts of widespread flooding. These include a nationwide disaster preparedness campaign across the 36 states and the FCT, as well as scheduled flood response simulation exercises in Anambra and Kano States.
“These efforts aim to enhance coordination among first responders and clarify roles at the grassroots level ahead of any potential flood emergencies,” she stated.
The visiting JICA delegation, led by Chief Representative Mr. Yuzurio Susumu, conveyed the Japanese government’s concern over Nigeria’s flood vulnerability and pledged renewed technical and material support. He proposed a joint technical meeting to identify critical needs and customize Japan’s assistance accordingly.
“We are here to deepen collaboration and ensure that Japan’s support is timely, targeted, and effective in mitigating the impacts of seasonal flooding,” Mr. Susumu said.
Mrs. Umar expressed appreciation for Japan’s longstanding partnership, recalling JICA’s 2014 grant that enabled NEMA to acquire critical emergency assets, including six Mobile Water Treatment Plants, nine Rapid Response Vehicles, and two Mobile Command Vehicles.
“These assets proved invaluable during recent flood disasters in Mokwa, Niger State, and Maiduguri, Borno State,” she noted, also commending JICA for ensuring the sustainability of its donations through routine maintenance, training, and insurance coverage.
Looking ahead, the NEMA boss called for further collaboration in key areas such as the development of a National Risk Atlas and broader disaster risk reduction strategies to address climate-induced emergencies.
She also praised Japan’s global leadership in disaster resilience, referencing landmark initiatives like the Hyogo Framework, Kyoto Protocol, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030), from which NEMA has benefited through international forums held in Sendai and Kobe.
The visit concluded with a tour of NEMA’s National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), where the JICA team observed the agency’s real-time coordination and response capabilities.
