The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to efficient and coordinated management of flood disasters across Nigeria, as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signals renewed support for Nigeria’s emergency response efforts.
This comes as forecasts predict widespread flooding across many parts of the country during the 2025 rainy season.
Receiving a delegation from JICA during a visit to NEMA headquarters in Abuja, the Director General highlighted the Agency’s ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness at all levels. These include a nationwide campaign on disaster preparedness and response recently carried out across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as upcoming flood response simulation exercises scheduled to hold in Anambra and Kano States.
She said these are designed to build synergy among stakeholders at the grassroots, raise awareness, and clarify roles and responsibilities ahead of any potential flood incidents.
The delegation was led by JICA Nigeria Chief Representative, Mr. Yuzurio Susumu, who expressed the concerns of the Government of Japan over the looming threat of severe floods and their potential impact on vulnerable communities in Nigeria. He conveyed Japan’s readiness to explore further support for Nigeria, through NEMA, in addressing anticipated flood-related challenges.
“We are here to strengthen collaboration with NEMA and to identify specific areas where Japan can provide timely and targeted assistance to mitigate the impacts of the floods,” Mr. Susumu said. He also proposed a technical meeting between both parties to assess current needs and tailor Japan’s support accordingly.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar expressed deep appreciation for the longstanding partnership with the Government of Japan, noting that JICA has played a significant role in strengthening Nigeria’s disaster response capabilities over the years.
She recalled Japan’s 2014 grant of facilities support to Nigeria, which facilitated the provision of vital emergency assets to NEMA, including six Mobile Water Treatment Plants, nine Rapid Response Vehicles, and two Mobile Command Vehicles.
“These life-saving assets have been instrumental in our field operations, including during the recent catastrophic floods in Mokwa, Niger State in May 2025, and a previous incident in Maiduguri, Borno State in September 2024,” she noted.
The NEMA boss further commended JICA not only for its donations but also for ensuring sustainability through periodic maintenance, staff training, and comprehensive insurance of the supplied equipment.
“As we confront the increasing threat of climate-induced disasters such as floods, droughts, and disease outbreaks, we look forward to further support from Japan in areas such as the development of a national risk atlas and broader disaster risk reduction strategies,” Mrs. Zubaida Umar emphasized.
She also lauded Japan’s global leadership in disaster risk reduction, citing its instrumental role in pioneering global frameworks like the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005–2015), the Kyoto Protocol (1997), and the ongoing Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030). She noted that NEMA has benefitted from Japan-led international platforms, including the International Conference on Large-Scale Disasters in Sendai and the International Recovery Forum in Kobe.
The Director General also led the JICA delegation on a tour of NEMA’s National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), where they received firsthand information on the operations of the Centre.
20th June, 2025
