FLOOD THREAT: NEMA Hosts Technical Meeting, Rallies Stakeholders on 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction to Strengthen Disaster Preparedness
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
In a decisive move to curb the impact of anticipated flooding and other climate-induced disasters, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has convened a high-level technical meeting to analyse the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) and chart a coordinated national response strategy.
The agency, in a statement dated March 31, 2026 said the meeting brought together key actors from federal ministries, security agencies, humanitarian organisations, and development partners to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for climate-related hazards.
Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar according to the statement stressed the urgency of adopting proactive, coordinated, and evidence-based measures to address the increasing threats posed by climate variability. She described the Seasonal Climate Prediction as “a critical decision-making tool for guiding preparedness and early action across all levels of government.”
Highlighting the theme of the meeting, “Strengthening Multisectoral Preparedness and Early Action for Climate-Related Disasters in Nigeria,” Umar said it underscores the importance of timely, well-coordinated responses to emerging risks.
“Recent experiences, particularly recurring flood events, have exposed gaps in coordination, preparedness, and early action, underscoring the need for improved collaboration among stakeholders,” she noted.
The NEMA boss urged participants to rigorously interrogate climate projections and convert them into actionable preparedness plans. “Disaster management must be proactive rather than reactive, with clear roles, timely planning, and strong inter-agency coordination,” she added.
Also speaking, NEMA’s Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Godwin Tepikor explained that the inclusion of the 2025 After Action Review (AAR) in the deliberations was intentional.
“The review is aimed at drawing lessons from previous emergency responses to strengthen future interventions,” he said.
Representatives of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency and the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency, highlighted ongoing improvements in weather and flood forecasting systems, adding that the forthcoming 2026 Annual Flood Outlook would further enhance nationwide preparedness.
Other stakeholders, including the Nigerian Red Cross Society , Defence Headquarters and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration, improving early warning dissemination, and ensuring coordinated emergency responses.
The meeting also featured a detailed presentation of the 2025 After Action Review, which assessed previous disaster responses and identified critical gaps requiring attention.
Overall, participants emphasized the need for a robust multi-sectoral approach to disaster risk management, with sustained focus on early warning systems, preparedness, and effective coordination to safeguard lives and livelihoods across the country.
