NEC orders emergency flood funding, strengthening of state disaster agencies
By Kunle Sanni –
The National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday directed the immediate strengthening of State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) across Nigeria’s 36 states as part of heightened preparations for potential flooding in 2025.
The meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, was held at the State House in Abuja.
The Council also approved the release of emergency funds to states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and relevant federal agencies to support ongoing flood preparedness and response efforts.
The decision followed a comprehensive presentation by the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, who briefed the Council on the country’s 2025 flood outlook and disaster readiness measures.
Umar disclosed that since May, NEMA has activated its Emergency Operations Centre and deployed search and rescue equipment to high-risk states. The agency has also intensified early warning campaigns in rural and urban communities and finalised the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (2024–2027) with technical support from the United Nations.
However, the NEMA boss highlighted persistent challenges undermining effective flood response, including poor drainage systems, delayed data reporting from state agencies, insecurity in vulnerable areas, and the weak functionality of local emergency structures.
She urged state governments to strengthen SEMAs, activate Local Emergency Management Committees, and enforce physical planning regulations. Other recommendations included institutionalising monthly environmental sanitation and improving waste management to reduce flood risks.
In response, NEC tasked the Federal Ministry of Finance with promptly disbursing necessary funds to bolster state-level readiness. The Council emphasised the need for local governments and communities to take ownership of risk mitigation, urging timely reporting of flood threats and full engagement in awareness campaigns.
