The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has kicked off its 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards in Zamfara State.
The agency warned that 23 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), face high risk of flooding this rainy season.
At a stakeholders’ engagement in Gusau, Zamfara State on Tuesday, NEMA director-general Zubaida Umar, said the campaign was designed to drive early and coordinated action to protect lives and livelihoods during the 2026 rainy season.
“Our theme, Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Nigeria, underscores the need for stronger institutions, clearer responsibilities, and proactive collaboration across all levels,” Umar said.
Citing the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), she said 132 local government areas in 23 states fall within high flood risk zones.
She added that another 14 states, covering 148 LGAs, are classified as moderate risk areas.
Umar said the recurrent impact of flooding in Nigeria demands an urgent and collective response.
She further hinted that each year lives are lost, livelihoods disrupted, and public and private infrastructure worth billions of naira damaged.
“Communities also bear the burden of injuries, displacement, and the loss of life savings due to unmitigated flood events and their secondary effects,” she added.
Umar said NEMA is deploying technical teams to all states for direct community outreach, supported by State Emergency Management Agencies, Local Emergency Management Committees, and community volunteers.
She called on traditional institutions, religious organizations, women and youth groups, the media, and the private sector to support NEMA in amplifying early warning messages.
“Preventing avoidable flood disasters requires a whole-of-society approach. Disaster management is everyone’s business. Effective response is built on inclusiveness, community participation, and shared responsibility,” she said.
Umar expressed hope that the engagement would strengthen preparedness, reduce the impact of recurrent floods, and safeguard livelihoods, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Relief Matters, Salisu Musa Tsafe, the acting permanent secretary, Ummulkhairi Abubakar Usman, said the gathering was timely.She stressed that the meeting was necessary to equip communities and stakeholders with vital information to mitigate the impact of flooding.
“This gathering is timely and necessary as it aims to equip our communities and relevant stakeholders with vital information and preparedness strategies to reduce the devastating effects of flooding across vulnerable areas,” Usman said.
She noted that flood disasters continue to threaten lives, property, agriculture, and socioeconomic activities in the state.
According to her, early warning and proactive response remain critical.
Usman commended the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA for its continued collaboration with Zamfara State in strengthening disaster preparedness.
She urged participants to actively engage in discussions and ensure that knowledge gained is shared within their communities for better preparedness and timely response.
