In a country where tanker fire accidents have claimed lives, destroyed properties, and disrupted communities, the response must be more than reactive—it must be strategic, consistent, and rooted in awareness. Under the leadership of its Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has adopted a proactive and people-centered approach to this recurring threat.
Quietly but effectively, NEMA has been addressing the problem through sustained public sensitization campaigns across states prone to these deadly incidents.Though the loudest sounds often come from sirens and explosions after a fire outbreak, NEMA’s most impactful work has been the silent groundwork of prevention.
Recognizing that a well-informed public is the first line of defense, the agency has made deliberate efforts to educate communities, drivers, and transport unions on safety protocols, risk mitigation, and the critical importance of compliance with road safety and fire prevention measures.Mrs. Zubaida Umar’s leadership has ushered in a new era of engagement and grassroots communication. Her administration understands that awareness campaigns must go beyond posters and broadcasts—they must engage the very actors at the heart of the problem. From the Federal Capital Territory to states like Osun and Kogi,
NEMA has rolled out targeted sensitization programs focused on high-risk areas and key stakeholders such as tanker drivers, depot workers, emergency responders, and residents of vulnerable communities.In Osogbo, Osun State, the message was clear: prevention saves lives. Tanker drivers were urged to adopt safer practices and avoid night journeys, which have been linked to higher accident rates. In Lokoja, Kogi State—an area notorious for heavy vehicular traffic and fuel transport—NEMA’s sensitization outreach emphasized road discipline and the dangers of over-speeding and poor vehicle maintenance. These interventions were not just lectures; they were dialogues, conducted in languages and formats that ensured understanding and ownership.
Beyond the physical outreach, NEMA has leveraged traditional media, town hall meetings, and social media platforms to amplify its message. The use of local influencers, community leaders, and relevant unions to communicate the importance of emergency preparedness has helped bridge the gap between policy and practice.
What makes these efforts particularly commendable is their continuity. Instead of limiting awareness to reactionary moments after tragedies, the agency, under Mrs. Umar’s guidance, has embedded it as a year-round mandate. This sustained awareness is the true “silent solution”—a quiet but powerful weapon against a deadly menace.The fight against tanker fire accidents is far from over, but NEMA’s strategic awareness campaigns are proving that with the right leadership and the right focus, progress is possible.
While the sirens may still wail in emergencies, it is the silent groundwork of education and engagement that offers the most sustainable path to safety.
