Minna: The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Niger has convened a stakeholders meeting to assess the preparedness status for rapid response to the anticipated 2026 flood season and other related emergencies. The meeting aimed to review readiness and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders ahead of the forecasted flood season.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the meeting was organized in collaboration with the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) to evaluate the preparedness and equipment holdings of various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Mr. Hussaini Isah, Head of Operations at NEMA Minna Operations Office, highlighted that forecasts from the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) indicated potential flooding risks and climate-related hazards across several regions.
Isah emphasized the importance of proactive measures, effective coordination, and adequate preparedness among relevant agencies. He disclosed that NEMA, in collaboration with NSEMA and other stakeholders, had activated the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) to coordinate emergency response activities statewide. The center is designed to facilitate information sharing, resource mobilization, situation monitoring, and decision-making to ensure timely and efficient responses to disasters.
Isah further explained that the meeting aimed to assess the readiness of response agencies, evaluate the availability and operational status of emergency equipment, identify gaps, and improve inter-agency collaboration. During a presentation on the SEOC, he described it as a central command and control hub for emergency management, structured into units for command and control, planning, operations, logistics, and finance.
The interactive session on equipment readiness and resource gaps featured Alhaji Garba Salihu, Director of Planning and Special Duties at NSEMA, who noted the agency’s focus on coordination and resource mobilization. Other key stakeholders, such as Mr. Tor Daniel from the Nigerian Police, discussed the strategic deployment of patrol and special operation vehicles, while representatives of the State Fire Service outlined their available assets, including functional fire trucks, rescue tankers, ambulances, and utility vehicles.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that NEMA had previously identified several high flood-risk zones, such as Agaie, Bida, Borgu, and others, ahead of the peak of the 2026 rainy season. The meeting included representatives from various organizations, including the Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Air Force, and numerous other agencies involved in emergency management and response.