NEMA Allocated ₦10 Billion for 2025 Flood Response

The Federal Government has approved the release of ₦10 billion to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant institutions to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness and response to potential flooding in 2025. The decision was made during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting held on Thursday, August 1, 2025, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima. The funds will be shared among NEMA, the Federal Ministries of Water Resources, Environment, Budget and Economic Planning, as well as the 36 state governments, the Federal Capital Territory, State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), and local emergency management committees. This intervention is aimed at supporting early warning systems, emergency coordination, disaster sensitization, and the pre-positioning of relief materials in flood-prone areas across the country. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, presented the funding proposal to the council, emphasizing the urgency of the move in light of recent flood risk predictions issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), which identified 148 local government areas as vulnerable to severe flooding this year. The Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, who also briefed the council, outlined the agency’s ongoing efforts under its 2024–2027 flood preparedness and response strategy. Developed with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNICEF, the plan includes activating emergency operations centres nationwide, collaborating with state governments, engaging local communities, and establishing partnerships with security agencies, disaster experts, and academic institutions. A major highlight of the strategy is the activation of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) in Abuja, designed to serve as the national coordination hub for emergency response. The NEOC features a live data dashboard and is connected to state-level agencies to ensure real-time communication and swift mobilization during emergencies. This funding and enhanced coordination come in the aftermath of the devastating Mokwa flood disaster in Niger State earlier this year, which claimed over 500 lives and left hundreds missing. The incident underscored the need for timely intervention and better preparedness. Vice President Shettima urged states to complement federal efforts by implementing their local preparedness plans and ensuring efficient use of allocated resources. He emphasized the importance of accountability and proactive engagement with communities in high-risk areas. The ₦10 billion allocation is expected to serve as a major boost to Nigeria’s flood risk management efforts, and its impact will largely depend on how effectively the funds are deployed and how well agencies coordinate their actions in the weeks leading to the peak of the rainy season.