VP Shettima Urges Major Investment in Disaster Preparedness at IDDRR 2025 in Abuja

Nigeria Prioritizes Proactive Disaster Management

Abuja, Nigeria – Vice President Kashim Shettima has strongly advocated for increased investment in disaster preparedness and resilience mechanisms across Nigeria. Speaking on Monday, October 13, 2025, at the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) in Abuja, Shettima emphasized the critical need for a shift from reactive disaster response to proactive prevention. The event, organized by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), was themed 'Fund Resilience, Not Disasters,' underscoring the economic and humanitarian benefits of early intervention.

A Call for Strategic Investment and Collaboration

During his address, Vice President Shettima highlighted that investing in preparedness is 'wiser, cheaper, and more humane to prepare for disasters before they strike than to rebuild after they destroy.' He further stated, 'Every naira we spend today on preparedness saves many more tomorrow on response and recovery. Every investment in resilience is, in truth, an investment in the lives and futures of our people.' Nigeria has frequently experienced devastating floods, erosion, and fires, which have caused significant economic and social damage. Shettima noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration has made resilience a national policy priority, integrating disaster risk reduction into various sectors including agriculture, infrastructure, education, and health.

The Vice President stressed that resilience cannot be achieved by the government alone, calling for broad collaboration. He urged the private sector to embed risk reduction into corporate planning, while academia and research institutions are expected to provide data and innovation. Civil society organizations are tasked with raising awareness and mobilizing citizens.

Unveiling National Strategies for Resilience

A significant part of the IDDRR commemoration was the unveiling of two crucial documents: the National Emergency Management Agency Strategic Plan (2025–2029) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (2025–2030), alongside an accompanying Action Plan (2025–2028). These strategies are anchored on risk-informed development, innovative financing, and stronger institutional collaboration, aiming to make disaster management an integral part of national planning across all sectors.

Key initiatives outlined include:

• Strengthening state and local emergency management agencies through training, technology, and coordination support.
• Expanding early warning systems to provide timely alerts for floods, droughts, and disease outbreaks.
• Developing a National Disaster Risk Financing Framework to ensure timely funding for prevention and preparedness.

Empowering Communities and Legislative Support

Shettima underscored the importance of empowering communities to manage their own safety, stating that 'no amount of preparedness will produce tangible results if communities are not empowered to take charge of their safety.' This community-centric approach is seen as the foundation of national resilience.

The event also saw pledges of support from legislative bodies. Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, and Hon. Joseph Bassey, Chairman of the House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, both commended NEMA's efforts and assured continued legislative backing for strengthening disaster management capacity. Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State also praised NEMA and emphasized the economic importance of sustained disaster funding, urging stakeholders to deepen collaboration.