The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called on stakeholders to ensure early flood warnings reach vulnerable communities across Nigeria.
This call was made during a stakeholders’ engagement on the 2025 National Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) held in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The event focused on enhancing early warning systems and improving how flood alerts are disseminated to communities at risk.
In his presentation on seasonal flood predictions, Dr. Tijjani Elbadawy noted that 12 states with 43 LGAs face high flood risks, while 13 states—including Borno—fall into low-risk categories. Maiduguri and Biu LGAs remain flood-prone.
Dr. Elbadawy recommended the creation of a national flood risk communication protocol and urged collaboration with the media to raise awareness on flood preparedness.
Delivering a keynote on behalf of NEMA DG Zubaida Umar, North-East Zonal Director Yakubu Suleman said disaster risk implications have been identified and mitigation strategies developed to support at-risk communities.
He noted that NEMA teams are being deployed nationwide to spread early warning messages at the grassroots, in partnership with state and local emergency agencies, and community volunteers.
Meanwhile, Borno State Emergency Management Agency DG, Alhaji Ali Abdullahi, reaffirmed the state’s preparedness. Measures include clearing blocked waterways and acquiring 15 speed boats with life jackets for emergency response.
The initiative is part of a nationwide effort to boost flood resilience and save lives during the upcoming rainy season.
Reporting by Hauwa Bata