By Abdulkadir Ibrahim
Since her appointment as Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar has continued to distinguish herself as a visionary leader, reformer, and strategic administrator whose impact is transforming Nigeria’s emergency management ecosystem. Her commitment to professionalism, humanitarian service, and institutional reforms has earned her a string of prestigious awards from reputable organisations at home and abroad.
A Testament to Visionary Leadership
One of the earliest recognitions of her tenure came with the Public Service Excellence Award 2024, presented by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR). The award celebrated her proactive leadership in enhancing NEMA’s operational standards, improving staff capacity, and strengthening accountability in the agency’s processes.
She was also honoured with the Distinguished Leadership in National Safety and Emergency Management Award by the Nigeria Safety Advocacy Initiative (NSAI). The recognition highlighted her commitment to modernising emergency response processes and building a stronger synergy between federal and state response agencies.
Champion of Humanitarian Coordination
In acknowledgment of her strides in deepening humanitarian collaboration, Mrs. Umar received the Humanitarian Service Impact Award from the National Council of NGOs and Volunteer Organisations (NCNVO). The award cited her role in expanding NEMA’s partnership network with UN agencies, INGOs, local humanitarian groups, and volunteer responders across the country.
She was also decorated with the African Humanitarian Leadership Award 2024 at the Regional Emergency and Relief Conference (RERC) in Accra, Ghana, recognising her efforts in cross-border disaster cooperation and regional early-warning systems.
Driving Innovation in Emergency Response
Her emphasis on technology and innovation has not gone unnoticed. Mrs. Umar received the Emergency Response Innovation Award from the Association of Disaster Risk Managers of Nigeria (ADRIMAN). This award celebrated her initiatives in digitalising incident reporting, strengthening data analytics for disaster prediction, and deploying geospatial tools in emergency coordination.
Additionally, she received the Smart Emergency Management Recognition Plaque from the Africa Tech for Development Forum for championing ICT-driven reforms and introducing modern equipment to NEMA’s zonal operations.
Recognition for Gender-Inclusive Leadership
As one of the leading female figures in emergency management on the continent, Mrs. Umar was honoured with the Women in Leadership Excellence Award 2024 by the African Women in Governance Network (AWGN). The award commended her for promoting gender inclusion in emergency response, empowering female responders, and advocating for gender-sensitive humanitarian interventions.
She also received the National Gender Champion Award from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, further underscoring her influence as a role model for young women in public service.
A Legacy in the Making
The awards received by DG Zubaida Umar reflect more than personal accomplishment—they highlight the renewed capacity, credibility, and responsiveness NEMA has achieved under her leadership. Each recognition underscores a strengthened institutional culture built on professionalism, transparency, and efficiency.
As Nigeria continues to navigate complex emergencies—from floods and wildfires to humanitarian displacement—the recognitions accorded to Mrs. Umar affirm that with visionary leadership, the nation can build a resilient and future-ready emergency management system.
Her story is not just about awards; it is about a growing legacy of service, reform, and national commitment.