FG Seeks Greater Investment in Disaster Preparedness, Resilience to Curb Emergencies

Shettima: ‘Preparedness is Cheaper and More Humane than Recovery’

Speaking at the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima stressed the importance of proactive planning, saying it is far more cost-effective to invest in resilience before disasters occur than to spend on post-disaster recovery.

“Every naira we spend today on preparedness saves many more tomorrow on response and recovery,” Shettima said.
“Every investment in resilience is, in truth, an investment in the lives and futures of our people.”

He noted that the government’s approach is shifting from reactive emergency response to prevention through integration of disaster risk reduction across key sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, education, and health.

Shettima added that early warning systems are being expanded to ensure communities receive timely alerts before floods, droughts, or disease outbreaks occur.

“We are developing a National Disaster Risk Financing Framework to guarantee funding for prevention and preparedness,” he said.
“To fund resilience is to invest in drainage systems, not relief camps; to build stronger schools and hospitals, not temporary shelters; to support farmers with climate-smart tools, not just food aid after floods.”

The Vice President also called on the private sector, research institutions, and civil society to partner with government in driving prevention-focused solutions.

“Resilience cannot be guaranteed by government alone. It is built by all of us — through how we plan our cities, protect our workers, and share information,” he said.

NEMA DG: Shift Needed from Reactive to Proactive Funding

In her address, the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, emphasised the need for a decisive shift from reactive disaster response to proactive resilience financing.

“Nigeria continues to experience increasing frequency and intensity of disasters driven by climate change, conflicts, pandemics, and technological risks,” she said.
“These events are testing the limits of traditional emergency systems and demanding a preventive, well-financed framework.”

Umar revealed that NEMA is developing a National Risk Monitoring and Information Platform — a cross-sectoral system for early warning, vulnerability mapping, and risk-informed investment planning.

She also outlined ongoing work with partners to explore innovative financing models, such as catastrophe bonds, insurance pools, climate funds, and blended finance mechanisms to sustain disaster risk reduction efforts at scale.

Governors, Stakeholders Back Sustainable Funding

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State highlighted the link between peace, preparedness, and resilience, stressing that sustainable funding is critical for long-term stability.

“Disaster management must not depend on ad-hoc measures. Preparedness and resilience must be funded deliberately — they are an economic necessity,” he said.

The event brought together senior government officials, representatives of development partners, emergency agencies, civil society, and the private sector, who all reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s resilience to disasters.