NEMA and federal leaders mark International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

Why Disaster Risk Reduction is shaping Nigeria’s future safety plans

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has joined the global commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), held on Monday 13 October 2025 at the Nigerian Air Force Conference Centre in Abuja.

Themed “Building Resilience, Not Disasters,” the event was attended by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, who served as Special Guest of Honour.

NEMA said the occasion, established by the United Nations, provided an opportunity for countries to reaffirm their commitment to proactive disaster prevention and resilience building.

The agency’s Director General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, said the event’s theme reflected NEMA’s operational philosophy and its focus on community empowerment.

Mrs Umar stated: “The theme, ‘Building Resilience, Not Disasters,’ speaks directly to our operational philosophy at NEMA.”

“It also aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places emphasis on sustainable development, human security and the protection of lives and livelihoods.”

Federal Government commits to national resilience

Vice President Kashim Shettima commended NEMA’s leadership for advancing a proactive approach to disaster prevention.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s continued support for NEMA and related agencies to strengthen capacity and coordination in national disaster management.

Senator Shettima said: “Disaster risk reduction remains an essential pillar of national development.”

“The Federal Government recognizes the critical role of NEMA in mitigating the effects of disasters and ensuring that our communities are not only protected but also resilient.”

“This administration will continue to provide the necessary support to enhance institutional capacity and coordination in this regard.”

Focus on early warning and inter-agency coordination

According to NEMA, presentations at the event explored topics including early warning mechanisms, inter-agency coordination, climate adaptation, and community-based resilience initiatives.

Delegates included senior government officials, diplomats, representatives of the United Nations, international partners, civil society organisations and scholars.

Mrs Umar said NEMA is prioritising preventive measures, capacity building and early warning systems as central elements of its strategy.

She noted that the agency is deepening partnerships across governance levels to embed risk reduction and preparedness into national development planning.

Nigeria reaffirms commitment to the Sendai Framework

NEMA said the 2025 commemoration reaffirmed Nigeria’s alignment with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030).

Under Mrs Umar’s leadership, the agency has continued to shift its approach from reactive emergency relief to preventive planning and resilience-focused programming.

The agency said the discussions held at the IDDRR event reinforced Nigeria’s long-term goal of safeguarding lives and livelihoods through integrated risk management and institutional collaboration.

As the ceremony concluded, stakeholders reiterated a shared call to “build resilience, not disasters” and to strengthen collective responsibility for national safety.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction highlights the growing emphasis on preparedness and resilience across emergency management systems.

For fire and rescue services, this approach aligns with the development of risk-informed planning, early warning communication and coordinated multi-agency response frameworks.

Disaster management professionals and emergency planners can draw on NEMA’s example of embedding resilience within national strategy to enhance institutional readiness and public safety.

The focus on education, local empowerment and preventive infrastructure is particularly relevant to those designing or implementing community-level response systems in hazard-prone regions.