The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, on Monday made a compelling case for the integration of disaster-resilient housing into Nigeria’s national development priorities, as she joined other eminent stakeholders at the opening ceremony of the 19th Africa International Housing Show (AIHS), held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
The high-profile event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, technocrats, and innovators from across the continent to engage in deep conversations around sustainable housing solutions and urban development in Africa. Among the dignitaries in attendance were former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), ably represented by Professor Sulaiman Bogoro, who served as the Special Guest of Honour; former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, who chaired the occasion; and the Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, who graced the event as Guest of Honour.
Now in its 19th edition, the Africa International Housing Show—convened by the visionary advocate for affordable housing, Mr. Festus Adebayo—has evolved into the continent’s largest housing and construction expo, a platform where policy meets practice, and innovation converges with impact.
In her remarks at the event, Mrs. Zubaida Umar reiterated NEMA’s commitment to fostering cross-sectoral collaboration toward addressing the dual challenge of displacement and inadequate housing. She noted that the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters—ranging from floods and windstorms to communal conflicts—have left thousands of Nigerians homeless and vulnerable, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable shelter solutions that are not only affordable but also resilient to natural and human-induced hazards.
“The importance of safe and durable housing cannot be overstated in our national quest for resilience,” she stated. “At NEMA, we recognize that shelter is more than just a roof over one’s head—it is a frontline defense against displacement, poverty, and vulnerability.”
The DG’s presence at the show sent a strong signal of NEMA’s proactive approach to strengthening partnerships across the housing and emergency management landscape. By aligning with the goals of the Africa International Housing Show, Mrs. Umar is positioning NEMA as a key voice in the national conversation around inclusive and risk-sensitive urban planning.
Her advocacy comes at a time when Nigeria is witnessing increasing climate-related emergencies, leading to the displacement of hundreds of communities annually. As such, she called for deliberate policies that embed disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation principles into the design and construction of homes, especially in flood-prone and conflict-affected areas.
Mrs. Umar also reaffirmed the agency’s readiness to work with both public and private sector players, development agencies, and housing professionals to develop scalable models of transitional and permanent housing for disaster-affected populations.
“We must go beyond emergency tents and ad-hoc shelters. Our goal should be to restore dignity and stability to affected persons through innovative, safe, and sustainable housing solutions,” she added.
As the Africa International Housing Show continues its week-long series of exhibitions, panel discussions, and expert dialogues, NEMA’s engagement stands out as a powerful reminder that housing, when done right, is both a humanitarian necessity and a development imperative.
