The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the United States Forest Service (USFS) have joined forces to enhance Nigeria’s disaster preparedness and operational coordination through an intensive, three-day emergency management training program.
The initiative, launched under the USFS Strengthening Capacity for Emergency Management Systems in Nigeria Programme, kicked off on October 6, 2026, at the Fraser Suites in Abuja. The workshop gathers key disaster response stakeholders, including representatives from NEMA, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, and State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) from Adamawa, Benue, Niger, and Sokoto States.
Delivering the official opening address on behalf of NEMA Director-General Mrs. Zubaida Umar, the Director of Planning, Research, and Forecasting, Dr. Godwin Tepikor, emphasized the critical need for a proactive shift in the nation’s disaster response approach.
“It is vital to move beyond responding only when disasters occur,” Umar stated, underscoring the imperative for robust preparedness, seamless multi-agency coordination, clear institutional responsibilities, timely information sharing, and continuous workforce development.
She urged participants to actively share institutional insights and translate the skills gained into tangible operational improvements at both federal and state levels.
The opening sessions centered on evaluating Nigeria’s current emergency management framework, exploring global response trends, and adapting core management principles to local operational realities. Attendees also began strategic planning for a simulation Tabletop Exercise (TTX) set to anchor the final day of training.
The second phase of the workshop covers critical functional areas, including public communication during crises, operational priority-setting, international coordination, and after-action review protocols, complemented by practical breakout workshops.
This collaborative initiative marks another milestone in the ongoing partnership between NEMA and the USFS to modernize Nigeria’s Incident Management System and build a resilient framework for national disaster response.
