The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to reduce the devastating impact of floods, fire outbreaks, and other disasters across Nigeria.
NEMA’s Director General, Zubaida Umar, made the appeal in Abuja on Thursday during the agency’s commemoration of the 2025 Customer Service Week, themed “Mission: Possible”.
Umar emphasised that tackling the increasing frequency and severity of disasters requires collective effort, coordination, and a deep commitment to service excellence. She also urged NEMA personnel nationwide to embody the agency’s core values – empathy, professionalism, and accountability, in all their operations.
“As the nation’s apex disaster management agency, our customers are the millions of Nigerians whose lives and livelihoods depend on our efficiency, empathy, and professionalism,” Umar said.
“Whether we are responding to disasters, coordinating humanitarian relief, managing internally displaced persons’ camps, or building community resilience, our success is measured by the trust and satisfaction of the people we serve.”
The NEMA boss described the 2025 theme as a reminder that no challenge is insurmountable when service is driven by purpose and passion. She added that disaster response goes beyond logistics, it is also about compassionate communication and timely action.
“Disasters do not give notice,” she noted. “In times of crisis, a kind word, a timely update, a listening ear, or a swift response can make the difference between despair and hope. That is why customer care in NEMA is not a department, it is the heart of our mandate.”
Umar further explained that NEMA’s responsibility extends beyond coordinating emergency response. It also involves ensuring quality assurance, transparency, and integrity in every relief effort.
“Our mandate demands more than coordination, it demands excellence in every action and integrity in every process. Quality assurance ensures that every relief item reaches the right people, at the right time, with the right resources. Compliance strengthens public trust and aligns our interventions with national policies and international standards,” she stated.
“To our partners and stakeholders, we invite you to join us in strengthening a service culture where every Nigerian, no matter their circumstance, feels heard, valued, and supported,” Umar said.
“Together, we can make the mission possible, building a safer, stronger, and more resilient Nigeria”, she added.
Calling for continued collaboration, the Director General invited partners, government agencies, and communities to support NEMA’s mission of service and resilience.
About the Author
