The present El Niño occasion is a chance to strengthen the nation’s preparedness tradition, writes ABDULHAMID ABDULLAHI ALIYU
Nigeria’s preparedness for climate-related emergencies is going through one other necessary take a look at as a powerful El Niño occasion gathers momentum, with the potential to affect climate patterns, livelihoods and public security within the months forward. For a rustic already grappling with recurring floods, dry spells, rising temperatures and different climate-related challenges, the event is a reminder that the implications of a catastrophe are sometimes decided lengthy earlier than it happens.
El Niño is a naturally occurring local weather phenomenon related to the warming of sea floor temperatures within the central and japanese equatorial Pacific Ocean. This warming impacts atmospheric circulation and may alter rainfall and temperature patterns throughout totally different elements of the world. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), in its September 2026 replace, confirmed that the occasion was firmly established and anticipated to strengthen, with a near-certain probability of persisting by February 2027. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had additionally confirmed the onset of a powerful El Niño occasion in its August local weather replace.
However, the implications for Nigeria require cautious consideration. El Niño doesn’t produce equivalent climate situations in all places, and its results in any nation depend upon different regional local weather programs. Its affect can contribute to uncommon temperature and rainfall patterns, rising the dangers of warmth stress, water shortages, strain on agriculture and, in some places, weather-related emergencies. These prospects make dependable forecasts, well timed public data and sensible preparedness significantly necessary.
The problem just isn’t merely to know the phenomenon however to make sure that authorities establishments and communities are prepared to answer the dangers it might create. This is the place the work of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) turns into significantly related.
Under the management of its Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, the Agency has continued to strengthen its method to catastrophe administration, with higher emphasis on early warning, coordination and anticipatory motion. The goal is to maneuver past responding after an emergency has occurred and construct programs that allow related authorities to establish threats, put together communities and take needed steps earlier than conditions deteriorate.
One vital improvement was the directive by Vice President Kashim Shettima in June 2026 for the activation of the Fusion and Trigger Room idea inside NEMA. Following a gathering of the Anticipatory Action Task Force, the initiative was designed to strengthen the coordination of data, establish rising dangers and assist well timed selections on early motion in opposition to flooding and different climate-related hazards. NEMA additionally disclosed that it had prioritised high-risk areas and issued flood early-warning advisories to assist preparedness.
The Agency has additionally strengthened its operational data system. On August 4, 2026, Mrs. Umar activated the National Emergency Operations Centre to enhance the monitoring, collation and evaluation of data on the flood scenario throughout the nation. The Centre is anticipated to supply a central platform for harmonising data from related sources and supporting coordinated selections throughout emergencies.
Beyond its inner buildings, efficient catastrophe preparedness relies on cooperation amongst establishments with totally different however complementary tasks. The significance of this was mirrored within the inter-agency assembly hosted by NiMet on August 21, 2026, forward of the implementation of the Early Warnings for All initiative in Nigeria. NEMA, NiMet, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, the National Space Research and Development Agency, the Nigerian Communications Commission and different companions participated in discussions across the nation’s 2026–2029 implementation roadmap for a coordinated, people-centred early-warning system.
These efforts are necessary, however their success should finally be measured by what occurs past authorities places of work and emergency coordination centres. A forecast doesn’t defend a family just because it has been issued. It turns into helpful when the data reaches folks in language they perceive and prompts them to take applicable motion.
The scale of Nigeria’s publicity to flooding illustrates the significance of this accountability. The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency recognized 14,118 communities in 266 native authorities areas throughout 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory as being at excessive threat of flooding in 2026. Such figures underline the necessity for native authorities to strengthen drainage programs, implement applicable land-use laws, stop building on waterways and make sure that evacuation preparations are in place the place needed.
Citizens even have a accountability to take warnings significantly. During intervals of intense warmth, folks ought to drink enough clear water, cut back pointless publicity to direct daylight, put on mild clothes and pay explicit consideration to kids, older individuals and individuals who could also be extra weak to heat-related sickness. Households ought to use water fastidiously, preserve clear environment and observe dependable climate updates from NiMet and NEMA.
For farmers, entry to well timed local weather data may also help information selections on planting, crop choice, water use and different farming practices. Communities in flood-prone areas ought to preserve drainage channels clear, keep away from dumping refuse in waterways and by no means try and cross flooded roads or transferring water. Where evacuation recommendation is issued, residents ought to act promptly reasonably than wait till the scenario turns into harmful.
State and native governments should additionally translate nationwide warnings into sensible interventions. This consists of investing in drainage and water-management infrastructure, strengthening native emergency committees, supporting public consciousness campaigns and guaranteeing that weak communities usually are not overlooked of preparedness plans. Traditional rulers, group leaders, civil society organisations and the media have equally necessary roles in guaranteeing that security data reaches the individuals who want it.
Ultimately, no single company can stop each climate-related emergency. NEMA’s accountability to coordinate catastrophe administration have to be matched by the dedication of different authorities establishments and the willingness of residents to behave on credible data. The present El Niño occasion ought to subsequently be handled not merely as a climate improvement however as a possibility to strengthen the nation’s preparedness tradition.
The true measure of catastrophe administration just isn’t solely how rapidly emergency groups reply after tragedy strikes, however what number of lives, houses and livelihoods are protected as a result of motion was taken early. As Nigeria navigates the months forward, the message is evident: preparedness can not start when catastrophe arrives. It should start earlier than the storm.
Aliyu is a journalist and syndicate author based mostly in Abuja
