By Rita Iliya
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other stakeholders in Niger have pledged to strengthen coordination mechanisms to tackle disasters in 2026.
The stakeholders also resolved to enhance preparedness and upgrade early warning systems to mitigate the impact of disasters across the state.
They reached a resolutions at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by NEMA to review disaster management activities in 2025 and outline strategies for 2026.
The meeting, themed “Building Synergy for Effective Emergency Response: A Multi-Agency Review of Niger State 2025 Disaster Management Activities and Strategic Preparedness for 2026,” brought together key actors in emergency response.
In his remarks, Mr Hussaini Isah, the Head of NEMA Minna Operations Office, said that participants deliberated extensively and agreed to improve coordination, preparedness and leadership in disaster management.
Isah, who oversees NEMA operations in Niger and Kwara, said the outcomes of the meeting would guide planning and implementation of disaster management strategies for 2026.
He commended stakeholders for their swift responses to disasters in 2025, attributing recorded successes to strong collaboration, coordination and leadership.
According to him, the meeting is aimed at reviewing activities in 2025 and strengthen response capacity, preparedness and mitigation strategies.
He noted that more than 3,000 deaths were recorded from multiple disasters in 2025, underscoring the need for improved collaboration among stakeholders.
“On behalf of the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, I welcome you to this important meeting to review our disaster management activities and collectively strategise for a more proactive approach in 2026,” he said.
Isah recalled that 2025 witnessed various challenges, including flooding, fire outbreaks and communal incidents, which tested stakeholders’ preparedness and response capacity.
He, however, said that collective efforts helped to save lives, protect livelihoods and deliver timely humanitarian assistance to affected communities.
Also speaking, Alh. Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), described NEMA as a reliable partner supporting the state during emergencies.
Baba-Arah, represented by Alh. Garba Salihu, Director, Planning and Special Duties in NSEMA, said the state experienced significant disaster challenges in 2025 and stressed the need to review strategies, identify gaps and strengthen partnerships.
Dr Ahmed Inga, the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management in Niger, said disaster management was a collective responsibility and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting victims and stakeholders.
In a presentation, Dr Zainab Ndanusa, Head of Disaster Risk Reduction Unit, NEMA, identified common triggers of disasters and outlined key strategies for 2026.
She listed the strategies to include improved preparedness, enhanced logistics, strengthened response capacity, upgraded early warning systems, better communication, data sharing and regular multi-agency drills.
Also, Alh. Ibrahim Liman, Chairman, Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB) and former Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, stressed the importance of rapid response in disaster situations.
Stakeholders at the meeting included officials from NSEMA, Nigerian Red Cross, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Air Force and the Federal Fire Service.
Others were the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Nigerian Army. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)