The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has held a strategic retreat with members of the National Assembly Committees on Emergency and Disaster Management to deepen legislative collaboration and strengthen Nigeria’s disaster management architecture.
The retreat, themed “Building a Resilient Nigeria: Strengthening Legislative Collaboration for Effective Emergency Management,” brought together lawmakers from both chambers of the National Assembly and senior NEMA officials to discuss improved policy alignment, oversight, and sustainable funding for emergency response and preparedness.
During the opening session, NEMA Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar—represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Dr. Onimode Abdullahi Bandele—said the engagement was organised to harmonise the Agency’s working relationship with the legislature and secure long-term policy and financial backing for national resilience efforts.
She emphasized the growing complexity of disasters in Nigeria and stressed the need for multi-sectoral strategies supported by strong legislation, adequate funding, and sustained political commitment. Close collaboration with lawmakers, she noted, would enable NEMA to enhance early-warning systems, community resilience programs, and proactive disaster prevention.
Speaking at the forum, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, represented by Senator Abdul Ningi, commended NEMA for fostering constructive dialogue and reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s emergency response system. He noted that rising incidents of natural and human-induced disasters demand stronger coordination and improved budgetary support.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management, Rt Hon. Joseph Bassey, identified inadequate funding, limited modern equipment, and gaps in emergency responder training as key challenges hindering effective disaster response. He stressed that NEMA’s mandate goes beyond relief distribution and urged increased budget prioritisation and timely release of appropriated funds to improve operational capacity.
Bassey also called for innovative financing systems to support disaster preparedness and response efforts across all levels of government.
A panel session on “Repositioning Nigeria’s Emergency Management Framework: The Role of the National Assembly” highlighted the need for stronger institutional collaboration, enhanced legislative oversight, and removal of policy bottlenecks. Speakers also advocated increased investment in disaster-risk reduction infrastructure and emergency-response capability nationwide.
Participants described the retreat as a significant step toward building a more resilient national emergency management system capable of protecting lives, property, and critical infrastructure.
