The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has launched its 2025 flood preparedness campaign, beginning in Bauchi State—one of the nation’s high-risk flood zones as seasonal rains and potential flooding approach.
The initiative, flagged off on Friday, is part of a national effort to build grassroots resilience in response to early flood warnings issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). Bauchi’s vulnerability to seasonal flooding made it a strategic choice for this public awareness drive.
Addressing attendees at the launch, NEMA’s Deputy Director of General Services, Mr. Bitrus Samuel, emphasized the importance of taking proactive measures. “Disaster response begins with information. We are acting now because NiMet has provided crucial forecasts indicating potential flooding. Our goal is to prepare communities before they are impacted,” he said.
The campaign, built around community engagement, seeks to empower local populations with the knowledge and tools needed to prevent and manage flood-related emergencies. NEMA also convened a national coordination forum, bringing together key stakeholders to strategize and cascade the response plans to the most vulnerable areas.
“Floods don’t start in Abuja they start in local communities,” Samuel noted. “That’s why we’re working closely with state structures and local leadership to ensure readiness.”
Among those present at the Bauchi event were representatives from the Nigerian Army, Police Force, Civil Defence, Fire Service, and humanitarian agencies. Their presence underscored the collaborative nature of the disaster management framework NEMA is promoting.
Taking the campaign directly to one of the city’s busiest commercial hubs, officials also visited Muda Lawal Market, previously hit by both floods and fires. NEMA’s Simon Katu addressed traders and market leaders, emphasizing community-driven preparedness.
“Effective disaster response is not just a government affair. It starts with individuals and community groups taking initiative,” Katu said. He added that the agency hopes the campaign will lead to practical behavioral shifts and improved emergency coordination.
Bauchi State’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajara Wanka, assured the public of the government’s commitment to proactive action. “Governor Bala Mohammed has provided a strong policy foundation for partnerships that strengthen our emergency response systems,” she said.
She praised the campaign as a vital step toward risk reduction, resilience building, and ensuring that communities are not caught off guard when nature strikes.
As climate change continues to escalate the frequency and severity of natural disasters, NEMA’s 2025 flood readiness campaign highlights the importance of early warning systems, community mobilization, and inter-agency collaboration in safeguarding lives and livelihoods.
