By Miriam Humbe
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced the process of reviewing the National Disaster Management Framework (NDMF) and the National Disaster Response Plan (NDRP) to ensure that Nigeria’s disaster management architecture remains responsive to emerging risks and evolving realities.
Declaring the inception workshop open in Abuja on Wednesday, 24th June, 2026, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, said the review had become imperative in view of the changing disaster risk environment characterized by increasingly severe floods, climate-related hazards, conflict-induced displacement, disease outbreaks, urban emergencies, transportation accidents, and other complex humanitarian situations.
She noted that while the existing National Disaster Management Framework and National Disaster Response Plan had provided useful guidance over the years, emerging threats and lessons from recent emergencies necessitated their review to ensure that they remain relevant, practical, and fit for purpose.
She said the review has presented opportunity to strengthen coordination among stakeholders, improve early warning and early action systems, address gaps in response structures, integrate emerging risks such as climate change and insecurity, and ensure that vulnerable groups are adequately considered in disaster planning and response.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar urged participants to leverage their technical expertise and field experiences to develop clear and implementable documents that would strengthen disaster management in the country.
She expressed confidence that the exercise would produce robust, inclusive and forward-looking frameworks capable of enhancing disaster risk reduction and emergency response for years to come.
The Director General also appreciated the collaboration of the World Bank Group and the Advocate for Women with Disabilities Initiative and Disabilities Rights Fund towards the success of the review process.
Speaking at the workshop, the Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist of the World Bank Group, Dr. Francis Nkoka, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting the review process through sustained technical and financial assistance.
He described the exercise as a reflection of the shared commitment between the World Bank and NEMA to strengthen disaster risk management and build a more resilient Nigeria.
Dr. Nkoka commended the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, for spearheading the review and reiterated the World Bank’s readiness to continue supporting initiatives aimed at improving disaster preparedness and response mechanisms in the country.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI), Mrs. Patience Obolo Dickson, commended NEMA for adopting a broad consultative approach to the review process.
She said that disasters disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, particularly women, children, and persons with disabilities, and expressed optimism that the review would deliberately mainstream disability inclusion across all components of disaster management.
Earlier, the Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting at NEMA, Dr. Godwin Tepikor, stated that the inception workshop marked the beginning of a comprehensive process aimed at reviewing and strengthening the country’s disaster management instruments in line with current realities and international best practices.
He noted that contributions from stakeholders at the workshop would provide the foundation for subsequent zonal consultations and the eventual development of more responsive and effective disaster management frameworks for Nigeria.
