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 check as a robust 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 results 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 jap equatorial Pacific Ocean. This warming impacts atmospheric circulation and may alter rainfall and temperature patterns throughout completely 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 chance of persisting by way of February 2027. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had additionally confirmed the onset of a robust El Niño occasion in its August local weather replace.
However, the implications for Nigeria require cautious consideration. El Niño doesn’t produce an identical climate circumstances in all places, and its results in any nation depend upon different regional local weather techniques. Its affect can contribute to uncommon temperature and rainfall patterns, rising the dangers of warmth stress, water shortages, stress on agriculture and, in some places, weather-related emergencies. These prospects make dependable forecasts, well timed public info and sensible preparedness significantly necessary.
The problem just isn’t merely to grasp the phenomenon however to make sure that authorities establishments and communities are prepared to reply to 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 techniques that allow related authorities to establish threats, put together communities and take crucial 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 knowledge, establish rising dangers and assist well timed choices 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 info system. On August 4, 2026, Mrs. Umar activated the National Emergency Operations Centre to enhance the monitoring, collation and evaluation of knowledge on the flood state of affairs throughout the nation. The Centre is predicted to supply a central platform for harmonising info from related sources and supporting coordinated choices throughout emergencies.
Beyond its inner buildings, efficient catastrophe preparedness depends upon cooperation amongst establishments with completely 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 workplaces 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 techniques, implement applicable land-use laws, stop building on waterways and make sure that evacuation preparations are in place the place crucial.
Citizens even have a accountability to take warnings severely. During intervals of intense warmth, folks ought to drink adequate clear water, cut back pointless publicity to direct daylight, put on mild clothes and pay explicit consideration to youngsters, older individuals and individuals who could also be extra susceptible to heat-related sickness. Households ought to use water rigorously, keep clear environment and observe dependable climate updates from NiMet and NEMA.
For farmers, entry to well timed local weather info might help information choices on planting, crop choice, water use and different farming practices. Communities in flood-prone areas ought to maintain 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 state of affairs 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 susceptible communities usually are not neglected of preparedness plans. Traditional rulers, neighborhood leaders, civil society organisations and the media have equally necessary roles in guaranteeing that security info 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 info. The present El Niño occasion ought to due to this fact 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 shortly 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 obvious: preparedness can’t start when catastrophe arrives. It should start earlier than the storm.
Aliyu is a journalist and syndicate author based mostly in Abuja
