NEMA Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable, Nationally-Led Humanitarian Response
The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to building a sustainable, nationally led and people-centred humanitarian system capable of responding effectively to emergencies and disasters across Nigeria.
She made the commitment at the Humanitarian Transition Workshop organised by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in collaboration with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) Nigeria.
Speaking at the workshop, Zubaida Umar said the gradual transition of the international humanitarian system towards greater national ownership should be seen as an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s institutions rather than the end of existing partnerships.
According to her, the transition provides an avenue to build stronger national systems capable of effectively leading and coordinating humanitarian interventions across the country.
She explained that the transition aligns with NEMA’s statutory mandate of coordinating disaster management nationwide, stressing that effective humanitarian action depends on strong institutions, reliable data, anticipatory action, efficient coordination mechanisms, sustainable financing and meaningful collaboration among all levels of government and development partners.
The NEMA Director-General called on stakeholders to work together in developing a practical, people-centred transition framework that reflects Nigeria’s realities while safeguarding lives, reducing vulnerabilities and ensuring that no one is left behind.
She also commended the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, under the leadership of Dr. Bernard Doro, and the UNOCHA Nigeria Office for organising the workshop, describing it as a timely initiative that would strengthen Nigeria’s humanitarian architecture and improve disaster response across the country.
NEMA Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable, Nationally-Led Humanitarian Response