Your Excellency, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Distinguish Senator Kashim Shettima GCON, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a privilege to welcome you to the launch of the 2024 Countrywide Risk Analysis for Nigeria. This event marks a milestone in our collective effort to enhance disaster preparedness and response. The document we unveil today serves as a vital tool to support the development and review of our preparedness plans and related frameworks, laying the foundation for a safer and more resilient Nigeria.
This initiative was driven by the need to understand the evolving risks in our country. Over the past seven months, experts from key government Ministries, Departments, Agencies, UN systems, NGOs, and other stakeholders worked tirelessly to compile and analyze data. Their commitment, coupled with lessons learned from past disasters, has resulted in a comprehensive analysis of 12 hazards, including flooding, epidemics, and conflict, at the Local Government Areas (LGA) level.
The primary goal of this analysis is to improve our knowledge of existing risks and their impacts, by providing a detailed risk profile at the LGA level and ranking hazards based on severity and impacts, this report empowers decision-makers to prioritize resources, design risk-informed programs and strengthen disaster preparedness. The analysis not only validates findings from the 2021 report but also incorporates new data to reflect current realities .Hazards such as increased violence in the Northwest, North Central, and Northeast have compounded risks, triggering secondary effects likedisease outbreaks. Such complex interactions underscore the need for
integrated approaches to preparedness and response. The 2024 Risk Analysis highlights pressing hazards across Nigeria:
1. Flooding: Affects 80-95% of states, manifesting as riverine, flash, and coastal flooding. Particularly vulnerable are communities along the course of Niger and Benue rivers and coastal areas in the South South. Epidemics: Cholera, measles, malaria and other diseases remain significant threats. Cholera is endemic in several regions, while measles persists despite vaccine availability. Emerging risks, such as heavy metal poisoning in Zamfara and Sokoto, require targeted interventions.Conflict and violence: The Northeast, including Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, continues to face organized armed conflict. Escalating violence in the Northwest affects Zamfara, Sokoto, and Katsina, while communal tensions persist in Nasarawa, Plateau, and Benue. The Southeast and South-South regions grapple with organized armed groups, and resource-based violence is prevalent in the states of Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta. These risks disrupt communities, displace populations and damage critical infrastructure
underscoring the importance of proactIve measures.
The presentation/launch of this report woud not have been possible without the collective efforts of our partners. l extend my heartfelt gratitude to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution ( PCR), Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET), Nigera Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA), State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and others who contributed critical data and expertise. Special recognition goes to UNICEF for its unwavering support in strengthening disaster preparedness capacity in Nigeria. Over the years, UNICEF has remained a key partner, collaborating with NEMA to build resilience and readiness across the nation.
Preparedness is the cornerstone of disaster management. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that we are ready to respond swiftly and efficiently to emergencies. This report serves as a baseline for developing mitigation strategies, such as early warning systems and community-based preparedness initiatives. It also raises public awareness of potential Hazards, empowering communities to take proactive measures.
As we launch this report, we must translate its findings into actionable strategies. Policymakers and humanitarian actors now have the insights needed to design robust preparedness plans and interventions. By prioritizing risk reduction, we can minimize the impact of disasters and protect the most vulnerable among us.
Distinguished guests, today’s event is more than a ceremonial launch; it is a call to action. The data and analysis provided in this report equip us with the tools to address the risks we face. However, the true measure of our success lies in how we utilize this knowledge to safeguard lives and livelihoods.
l am confident that, together, we can rise to the challenges ahead and build a disaster-resilient society. Let us seize this opportunity to transform ourpreparedness landscape and ensure that no Nigerian is left unprotected in the face of adversity.
Thank you, and may we remain united in our commitment to a safer, stronger Nigeria.
