As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence Anniversary, reflections naturally turn to the nation’s journey—its triumphs, struggles, and the resilience of its people. While the spotlight often rests on political milestones, the quiet revolutions happening in public institutions tell an equally compelling story. One such revolution is unfolding at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), under the leadership of its Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar.
Mrs. Umar’s emergence as the head of NEMA came at a defining moment in the nation’s history. Nigeria’s complex humanitarian and disaster management challenges demand more than routine administration; they require vision, strategic thinking, and above all, empathy. Since assuming office, she has demonstrated that these qualities can transform an agency once perceived as reactive into one charting a proactive, people-centered future.
At the recent 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) side event in New York, Mrs. Umar’s voice carried the weight of Nigeria’s renewed determination to link global partnerships with local prosperity. In her words, “At NEMA, where our mandate is centred on humanitarian needs and emergency management, we are pursuing strategic partnerships that go beyond donations or handouts.” This statement reflects a shift from dependency to sustainability—a recognition that true national progress depends on empowering communities to withstand and recover from shocks.
Under her stewardship, NEMA has been reorienting disaster management from a reactive to a proactive model. The principle is simple but profound: disasters are local before they are national, and resilience must begin at the grassroots. By insisting that State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) be fully functional, Mrs. Umar has ensured that states shoulder their responsibility in preparedness. Her commendation of Kaduna State’s early flood preparedness—mapping higher grounds, establishing camps, and mobilizing resources—offers a model for other states to emulate.
What makes her leadership distinct is the blend of strategic foresight with humane sensitivity. In a country where floods, displacements, and humanitarian crises have become all too familiar, Mrs. Umar has quietly redefined what leadership in disaster management should look like. It is not merely about distributing relief materials but about strengthening local systems, fostering partnerships, and building the trust of citizens.
Her vision aligns seamlessly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes inclusive development and resilience. At a time when citizens are yearning for tangible signs of hope, NEMA’s proactive interventions offer reassurance that governance can indeed deliver. By positioning NEMA as not just a responder to crises but a partner in sustainable development, Mrs. Umar has underscored the fact that nation-building is not only political but also humanitarian.
Independence anniversaries often compel us to ask what progress looks like. For Nigeria at 65, progress is not only in the skyscrapers of Lagos or the technological innovations of young entrepreneurs; it is also in the systems quietly being built to safeguard lives and livelihoods. It is in the work of leaders like Mrs. Zubaida Umar, whose “quiet revolution” at NEMA exemplifies service anchored in integrity, foresight, and compassion.
As Nigerians raise their flags this October, they celebrate not just the past but also the unfolding possibilities of the future. In the arena of disaster management and humanitarian response, that future is being quietly shaped by a woman determined to prove that even in the face of crisis, Nigeria can rise, rebuild, and renew.
Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu
IOII
1st October 2025
