Abeokuta: The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Thursday conducted a full-scale flood disaster response simulation at the Apo river, Owu, in Abeokuta, Ogun. The exercise was aimed at enhancing coordination, communication, interoperability, and efficiency among stakeholders involved in disaster risk management. Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Director-General of NEMA, emphasized the importance of preparedness and coordination in mitigating flood disasters.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, NEMA’s Director-General, represented by Air Commodore Usman Bature, Director of Search and Rescue, noted that the 2026 seasonal climate prediction and annual flood outlook by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) identified 31 states, including Ogun, as high-risk flood zones. The forecast necessitates proactive and coordinated measures to lessen the potential impacts of flooding on lives and livelihoods.
Umar highlighted that flooding is a recurrent and severe natural hazard in Nigeria, affecting lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, the environment, and communities. She stressed the need for strengthened preparedness, early warning systems, anticipatory action, and effective response mechanisms due to the increasing frequency and severity of flood events. Recent flooding in parts of Kaduna metropolis following heavy rainfall reinforced the need for simulations to test plans, identify gaps, and bolster coordination before disasters threaten lives and property.
‘Today, we are simulating a crisis so that we can be better prepared to save lives when a real disaster occurs,’ she stated, reiterating that preparedness is crucial for saving lives. She urged participants to engage in the exercise with professionalism and a learning mindset to identify areas for improvement and validate existing response strategies. Umar also expressed gratitude to the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sahel Resilience Project for supporting the exercise, as well as the Ogun government and other stakeholders for their commitment to enhancing disaster preparedness and community resilience.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by his Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, commended NEMA for organizing the simulation and its collaboration with the state government, which has bolstered Ogun’s emergency response capacity. He noted that the state government continues to support the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) with resources, including training for personnel and local emergency responders. Abiodun underscored the simulation as a practical opportunity to assess the preparedness of institutions and the ability of critical stakeholders to coordinate effectively during flood emergencies.