The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibadan Operations Office, on Thursday 21st August 2025, convened a one-day roundtable discussion on flood preparedness and response in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The meeting was organized to assess the level of preparedness of key stakeholders, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and brainstorm practical measures to mitigate the impact of the predicted 2025 floods in the state.
In her welcome address, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, represented by the South-West Zonal Director, Mr. Saheed Akiode, said the meeting became necessary following recent warnings issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) on possible flooding in 19 states, including Oyo. She stressed the need for synergy among emergency responders and reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to mitigate the impact of flooding through sustained awareness campaigns and sensitization programmes.
The programme featured a presentation by the Assistant Head of Operations, Mr. Olanrewaju Kazeem, who provided an overview of NEMA’s preparedness and response strategies, showcasing ongoing activities of the Agency aimed at flood mitigation. He emphasized the roles of NEMA and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and called for the establishment of Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) at the grassroots to enhance community resilience.
Similarly, the Head of NEMA Ibadan Operations Office, Mr. Kadiri Olanrewaju, underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration for effective and efficient disaster response.
Participants commended NEMA for the initiative and urged all relevant stakeholders to translate discussions into actionable plans that would strengthen disaster management and reduce the risks associated with flooding in Oyo State.
At the end of deliberations, a communiqué was drafted and adopted by participants.
The meeting was attended by representatives of NEMA, Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Red Cross, Civil Society Organizations, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Fire Service (FFS), State Fire Service (SFS), media organizations, and other critical stakeholders.
21st August, 2025
