The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Assembly Committees overseeing emergency and disaster management have held a strategic retreat to deepen legislative collaboration and enhance institutional capacity for more effective disaster management across Nigeria.
The retreat, themed “Building a Resilient Nigeria: Strengthening Legislative Collaboration for Effective Emergency Management,” brought together lawmakers from both chambers and senior NEMA officials to foster greater synergy in policy formulation, oversight, and resource mobilization in support of the Agency’s mandate.
In her keynote address, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Dr. Onimode Abdullahi Bandele, said the retreat was convened to harmonize NEMA’s relationship with the National Assembly and secure stronger legislative backing for sustainable investment, institutional reform, and policy development critical to building national resilience.
She emphasized that the increasing complexity of disasters in Nigeria calls for a multi-sectoral and well-coordinated approach anchored on sound legislation, adequate funding, and sustained political commitment.
According to her, closer collaboration with the legislature is essential to empower NEMA in fulfilling its statutory responsibilities, particularly in disaster prevention, community resilience, and early warning systems.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, Senator Abdul Ningi commended NEMA for organizing the retreat as a platform for constructive policy dialogue.
He reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s emergency management framework, noting that the growing frequency and intensity of disasters demand improved coordination, legislative responsiveness, and dedicated budgetary support.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management, Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey, identified key challenges undermining disaster response efforts in Nigeria, including inadequate funding, shortage of modern equipment, and the need for continuous capacity-building for emergency responders.
Bassey stressed that NEMA’s role goes beyond relief distribution and called for increased budgetary prioritization and institutional reforms to enable the Agency to operate proactively. “NEMA is not only about relief,” he stated.
“There are critical funding and equipment needs that must be addressed to build a professional, well-resourced system capable of protecting lives and livelihoods.”
He further urged the timely release of appropriated funds and the adoption of innovative financing mechanisms to strengthen preparedness and response capacities at federal, state, and community levels.
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The retreat featured a panel discussion titled “Repositioning Nigeria’s Emergency Management Framework: The Role of the National Assembly,” where participants underscored the importance of legislative commitment to removing legal and policy bottlenecks, enhancing oversight, and scaling up investments in disaster-risk reduction and emergency infrastructure nationwide.
The engagement reaffirmed the shared resolve of both NEMA and the National Assembly to build a more resilient Nigeria through strengthened legislative support and institutional synergy in disaster management.
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