Nigeria to empower flood-prone communities
Abdullateef Fowewe
Nigeria is set to strengthen disaster preparedness by empowering communities, enhancing technology, and investing in resilience rather than reactive relief, Vice President Kashim Shettima announced during the 2025 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) in Abuja.
Speaking on Monday, Shettima underscored, “No amount of preparedness will produce tangible results if communities are not empowered to take charge of their safety.”
He highlighted the importance of local ownership, noting, “They are the foundation of whatever strategy we adopt and the heartbeat of our national resilience.”
Addressing the need for multi-sector collaboration, Shettima said, “Our academia and research institutions also bear the responsibility of helping us generate the data, innovation, and practical research we need to prepare for a safer future.”
He called on the private sector to “see itself as a partner in prevention, embedding risk reduction into corporate planning and investment decisions.”
The Vice President lauded the event’s theme, “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters,” explaining, “It is far wiser, far cheaper, and far more humane to prepare for disasters before they strike than to rebuild after they destroy. Every naira we spend today on preparedness saves many more tomorrow on response and recovery.”
He outlined critical investment priorities, stating, “To fund resilience, we must invest in drainage systems, not relief camps; build stronger schools and hospitals, not temporary shelters; support farmers with climate-smart tools, not just food aid after floods; and train and equip our first responders before the sirens start to wail.”
Following President Tinubu’s direction to treat resilience as a national policy, Shettima said the government is “integrating disaster risk reduction into every sector expanding early warning systems strengthening state and local emergency management agencies through training, technology, and coordination support.”
He also highlighted the development of a National Disaster Risk Financing Framework and deepened partnerships to drive innovation in resilience building.
Other dignitaries at the event included Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, who praised the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)’s new 5-year strategic plan and advocated for Public-Private Partnerships in disaster funding.
Minister Yusuf Tanko Sununu stressed the need for diversified funding sources to reach underserved communities.
NEMA Director General Zubaida Umar described the day as “a defining moment in Nigeria’s national commitment to building resilience,” with a focus on “innovative financing that can sustain risk reduction efforts on scale.”
Parliamentary leaders pledged support for NEMA, with commitments to create an enabling environment and amend the NEMA Act for greater effectiveness.
Plan International Nigeria’s Country Director Dr Charles Usie urged enhanced transparency, coordination, and early warning improvements to transform Nigeria’s disaster management.
