NEMA Convenes Stakeholders on 2026 Climate Forecast to Boost Disaster Preparedness

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has convened a high-level technical meeting to assess the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) and strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for climate-related disasters, particularly flooding.

The meeting, held as part of efforts to adopt a proactive and data-driven approach to disaster risk management, brought together stakeholders from federal ministries, security agencies, humanitarian organisations, and development partners.

Speaking at the session, Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, underscored the urgency of coordinated and evidence-based responses to the growing threats posed by climate variability. She described the Seasonal Climate Prediction as a vital tool for guiding early action and preparedness across all tiers of government.

Umar noted that the meeting, themed “Strengthening Multisectoral Preparedness and Early Action for Climate-Related Disasters in Nigeria,” reflects the need for timely and collaborative responses to emerging risks.

She pointed out that recurring flood incidents in recent years have revealed significant gaps in preparedness, coordination, and early response, stressing the importance of improved synergy among relevant agencies and stakeholders.

The NEMA boss urged participants to critically analyse climate projections and translate them into actionable strategies, emphasizing that disaster management must shift from a reactive to a proactive approach, anchored on clear roles, timely planning, and effective inter-agency coordination.

Also speaking, NEMA’s Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Dr. Godwin Tepikor, said the inclusion of the 2025 After Action Review (AAR) in the discussions was intentional, aimed at drawing lessons from past emergency responses to enhance future interventions.

Representatives from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) highlighted ongoing improvements in weather and flood forecasting systems. They added that the forthcoming 2026 Annual Flood Outlook would further support preparedness efforts nationwide.

Other participants, including the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Defence Headquarters, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration, improving early warning dissemination, and ensuring coordinated response mechanisms.

The meeting also featured a presentation of the 2025 After Action Review, which evaluated previous disaster responses and identified key areas requiring improvement.

Overall, stakeholders emphasized the need for a multi-sectoral approach to disaster risk management, with strong focus on early warning systems, preparedness, and coordinated action to protect lives and livelihoods across the country.