The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Benin Operation Office has convened a crucial stakeholders’ meeting to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms ahead of the anticipated 2025 flood. The meeting, held on 17th September 2025 at the Agency’s Benin Operations Office, brought together representatives of government agencies, security services, humanitarian partners, and other critical actors.
Welcoming participants, the Head of Operations, Mr. Kenoma Ojuederie, recalled that during an earlier meeting on 10th September, stakeholders had agreed to present their equipment holdings to enhance resource mobilization for flood response. He noted with concern that water levels in rivers were steadily rising and stressed the urgent need to commence the planned flood simulation exercise. He also cited the successful flood simulation exercise recently conducted by NEMA in partnership with the Rivers State Government as an example of effective preparedness.
During the session, various stakeholders made submissions on their levels of readiness. The NYSC announced the deployment of corps members for sensitization campaigns across all 18 LGAs of Edo State. The Edo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) reported ongoing enlightenment campaigns, renovation of IDP camps, and stockpiling of relief materials.
The Nigerian Army Disaster Response Unit assured readiness to mobilize personnel and equipment, while the Nigerian Air Force pledged the deployment of air assets for evacuation of trapped persons. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) emphasized its commitment to safeguarding displaced persons in IDP camps, with personnel already positioned across all LGAs.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security disclosed that extension officers were sensitizing farmers on appropriate planting and harvesting timelines, in addition to providing storage and drying facilities to reduce post-harvest losses. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) also pledged to relay the stakeholders’ requests to its management and expressed optimism for possible support.
After deliberations, the meeting resolved that the planned simulation exercise would require joint funding and logistics from all participating organizations. It was further agreed that a 10-man delegation would pay a courtesy visit to the Governor of Edo State to seek support for the exercise, preceded by visits to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and the Chief of Staff. The coordination of the visits was assigned to the Executive Secretary of Edo SEMA.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of stakeholders’ collective commitment to support NEMA and the Edo State Government in mitigating the impact of flooding on vulnerable communities.
