It’s a year now when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Mrs Zubaida Umar as the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), effective 15th March, 2024.
In marking the milestone, it is only fitting to reflect on the period that has been defined by dedication, innovation, and impactful service to the nation. Since assuming office, Mrs. Zubaida Umar has demonstrated visionary leadership in managing some of the nation’s most challenging emergencies, including the devastating 2024 nationwide floods, and has repositioned NEMA as a proactive and people-centered agency.
When Mrs. Zubaida Umar was appointed as NEMA’s Director General, she brought with her a wealth of experience, strategic foresight, and an inclusive leadership style that has significantly transformed the agency’s operations. Her vision to modernize emergency response mechanisms, improve inter-agency collaboration, and ensure timely interventions for vulnerable populations has yielded tangible results in just one year.
Perhaps one of her most outstanding achievements was her remarkable leadership in coordinating the national response to the 2024 floods, which affected millions across the country. Under her leadership, NEMA quickly deployed emergency response teams, relief materials, and coordinated evacuations in collaboration with state governments, the military and other Stakeholders
Prior to the floods, NEMA under her leadership strengthened its Early Warning Systems, issuing timely alerts that enabled communities to prepare and mitigate loss of lives and property. Her visionary prepositioning of rescue teams also enabled swift responses. Within hours of reported flood incidents, NEMA teams were on the ground providing rescue operations, temporary shelters, food, and medical aid, demonstrating an unprecedented speed of action. Through the strengthening collaboration and partnership with stakeholders, the Nigerian Armed Forces, Red Cross, UN agencies, and other humanitarian organizations were readily available and also deployed to ensure a coordinated and efficient response to the incidents.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar also prioritized capacity building, ensuring that NEMA staff and volunteers received cutting-edge training in disaster management, risk reduction, and community engagement. Through innovative public awareness campaigns, she brought disaster preparedness closer to communities, especially vulnerable rural populations, empowering them with knowledge to act in emergencies.
Her tenure so far also seen the launch of technology-driven solutions, including a centralized emergency response dashboard, enhancing real-time monitoring of disaster situations and faster mobilization of resources.
Recognizing that effective disaster management requires collaboration, she strengthened partnerships with both local and international organizations. Under her leadership, NEMA expanded its ties with bodies such as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and ECOWAS, securing technical and material support that bolstered the agency’s capacity.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar’s first year as DG of NEMA stands as a testament to the power of competent, compassionate, and visionary leadership. Her ability to steer the agency through one of the most challenging disaster years in Nigeria’s recent history, while also laying the foundation for future resilience, has earned her national and international recognition.
As NEMA celebrates this milestone, Nigerians remain hopeful that under Mrs. Umar’s leadership, the country is better prepared to confront future emergencies, safeguard lives, and promote sustainable recovery.
Indeed, her first year is not just a celebration of time, but of service, impact, and unwavering commitment to humanity.
Congratulations to Mrs. Zubaida Umar on her remarkable first year as DG, NEMA — a year that has redefined emergency management in Nigeria.
NEMA press unit
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