NEMA Urges 30 States to Commence Early Action Against Predicted Flooding 

Flags off 2026 preparedness campaign in south-south 
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja 
The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, has urged state governments across the country to commence proactive measures aimed at preventing and mitigating the impact of flooding following predictions that more than 30 states may experience serious flooding during the 2026 rainy season.Umar made the call during a visit to the Governor of Adamawa State, Umaru Fintiri, in Yola as part of activities for the stakeholders’ engagement and flag-off of the 2026 national preparedness and response campaign on flood disaster and related hazards.She identified some of the key actions expected from states to include the reintroduction and enforcement of monthly environmental sanitation exercises, regular clearing of drainages and waterways, strengthening and supporting State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs).Besides, she urged the subnational governments to ensure the inauguration and operational functionality of Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) at the grassroots, a statement by Head, NEMA Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, stated yesterday.

The DG NEMA disclosed that in response to the forecasts, the agency has developed the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework to guide coordinated efforts toward reducing flood impacts nationwide.She added that through NEMA’s Flood Early Warning System, the agency has identified flood risk profiles and produced vulnerability maps for at-risk communities across the country to support targeted disaster risk reduction planning by federal, state, and local governments.She called on traditional institutions, religious organisations, women and youth groups, the media, and the private sector to support NEMA in amplifying early warning messages and promoting community preparedness.Responding, Fintiri commended NEMA for its proactive approach toward disaster preparedness and response, particularly the early warning and sensitisation campaigns being undertaken ahead of the rainy season.The governor assured that the Adamawa state government would carefully consider and implement the recommendations and advice provided by the director general to reduce the impact of flooding in the state.He also appreciated the various interventions and support consistently provided by NEMA to Adamawa State during emergencies and disaster situations.

The DG NEMA also addressed participants at the flag-off event where she urged them to play their respective roles and amplify the early warning messages within their various communities.Meanwhile, NEMA has flagged off the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards for the South-south geo-political zone in Calabar, Cross River State.The Director General of NEMA, Umar, who flagged off the campaign, said the exercise was designed to drive early and coordinated action to protect lives and livelihoods during the 2026 rainy season.

She noted that the South-south region remains one of the areas most vulnerable to flooding in Nigeria due to its coastal location, high rainfall intensity, overflowing river systems, poor drainage infrastructure and the impact of climate change, which often result in recurrent flooding, displacement of communities, destruction of farmlands and disruption of livelihoods.Umar stressed the need for early action to prevent, mitigate and respond effectively to the anticipated flooding across the country, particularly in flood-prone communities within the region.She called on traditional institutions, religious organisations, women and youth groups, the media, the private sector and other stakeholders to support NEMA in amplifying early warning messages, stressing that disaster management is everyone’s business.The DG further disclosed that the agency had developed the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework to provide a structured guide for reducing flood impacts nationwide.She identified key mitigation strategies to include capacity building for local responders, simulation and tabletop exercises, strict adherence to rainfall and flood advisories, regular clearing of drainage channels and waterways, as well as the development and testing of community evacuation plans.

Umar stated that through its flood early warning system, NEMA had identified risk profiles and tailored mitigation measures for communication to at-risk communities, while vulnerability maps had been produced to guide federal, state and local governments in targeted risk reduction planning.She added that NEMA would deploy technical teams to all states of the federation for direct community outreach, supported by SEMAs,  LEMCs and community volunteers.The director general expressed optimism that the engagement would strengthen preparedness, reduce the impact of recurrent floods, safeguard livelihoods, and support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.As part of activities for the campaign, the DG NEMA also paid a visit to the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, where she urged the state government to intensify proactive measures that would ensure efficient flood management in the state.