By Muhammad Mamman
In a bold move to tackle the looming threat of floods, Nigeria’s National Economic Council (NEC) has greenlit a hefty funding package for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and key ministries to supercharge the nation’s preparedness for the 2025 rainy season. The decision, announced on Thursday, came straight from a high-stakes NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The council is wasting no time, demanding urgent financial support for critical federal ministries, agencies, and state and local emergency services to fend off the kind of catastrophic flooding that’s wreaked havoc in the past. Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, told reporters after the meeting that this isn’t just a federal affair—support will cascade to all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and their respective State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs).
“This year, we’re doubling down with a robust intervention programme to deliver real, impactful support for flood prevention and relief,” Edun declared. “We’re talking NEMA, plus ministries like Water Resources, Environment, and Budget and Economic Planning—all getting the resources they need.”
Edun stressed that flooding is a national challenge requiring everyone to pitch in. “From enforcing planning laws to kitting out emergency response teams, it’s a whole-of-society effort. We’re building on last year’s foundations to ensure better coordination and readiness across federal, state, and local levels.”
With this funding surge, Nigeria is gearing up to keep the floods at bay and protect communities from the deluge. The message is clear: when the rains come, the nation will be ready.
