By Fatima Saka
The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, as part of efforts to enhance disaster risk management, research, and national resilience.
Umar gave the assurance on Monday while receiving the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, who led the university’s management team on a courtesy visit to NEMA headquarters in Abuja.
She stressed that collaboration with academic institutions remains critical to advancing evidence-based disaster management, promoting research and innovation, and building sustainable resilience across the country.
According to her, NEMA is shifting focus from reactive emergency response to proactive disaster risk reduction strategies, including early warning systems, public awareness campaigns, and preparedness initiatives.
The Director General noted that the agency has intensified nationwide sensitisation programmes, strengthened partnerships with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), and supported the establishment of Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) to drive community-based disaster management.
“Disaster management begins at the community level. Our collaboration with tertiary institutions is vital in promoting disaster risk education, climate resilience, and institutional capacity development,” she said.
Umar further assured ABU of NEMA’s readiness to scale up existing collaborations, particularly in areas of research, training, and strengthening institutional frameworks for disaster preparedness.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, commended Umar for her leadership and contributions to disaster management and humanitarian coordination in Nigeria.
He described her as a distinguished alumna of the university whose service has brought pride to the institution.
Ahmed noted that the visit was also to appreciate NEMA’s sustained support for the ABU Centre for Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies, which has trained professionals serving in disaster management agencies nationwide.
He added that the university is seeking to deepen collaboration with NEMA to address emerging disaster risks linked to climate change, rapid urbanisation, and environmental challenges.
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The Vice-Chancellor also appealed for NEMA’s support in enhancing emergency preparedness within the university, particularly in tackling risks associated with ageing infrastructure, erosion, fire outbreaks, and other hazards.
The renewed partnership is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s disaster risk reduction framework through improved research, capacity building, and community-level interventions.
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