The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has continued to raise the bar on disaster preparedness and mitigation through continuous human capacity development of staff and stakeholders.
The agency is obviously making concerted efforts to bolster inter-agency collaboration and enhance the capacity of grassroots-level human resources for disaster preparedness and management.
Headed by Zubaida Umar, its first female DG, the concerted effort by NEMA is aimed at bolstering inter-agency collaboration and enhancing the capacity of grassroots-level human resources.
When she assumed office, she said that the agency will sustain gains achieved under her predecessor while bringing on board innovations and proactiveness in the affairs of the agency.
The dedication and tireless efforts of her predecessors have laid a solid foundation upon which she continued to build and expand NEMA’s capacity and ability to effectively carry out mandates through proactive and innovative service delivery in emergency management.
Her appointment as the first female Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was officially confirmed by President Bola Tinubu about 9 months ago.
Umar is a member of both the Chartered Institute of Bankers and the Institute of Credit Administration.
During her tenure as the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services at the Federal Mortgage Bank, Ms. Umar played a pivotal role in spearheading the strategic transformation and modernization of the bank into a cutting-edge, digitally driven mortgage and financial services provider.
The Director-General has instilled much-needed financial and operational discipline within the agency, overhauling NEMA into a performance-oriented and proactive emergency response organization, with a strong emphasis on disaster prevention and readiness for climate change impacts.
Did you know that Zubaida Umar, a native of Birnin Kebbi State. A distinguished alumna of renowned institutions such as the Robert Gordon University Business School in Scotland, where she earned an MSc in International Trade, and Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, where she obtained a BSc in Business Administration.
Her endeavors are aimed to equip NEMA’s personnel and stakeholders with the essential skills and knowledge required for effective disaster management.
Under her leadership, the Agency has organised training programs in collaboration with international partners, such as the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) and the United States Forest Service, facilitated by USAID, and took place in Abuja.
Under her watch, she has lived by example and in collaboration with partners to set standards and parameters for our emergency management under set targets.
This include deployment of technical and human intelligence in emergency and disaster management, proactive measure to ensure early forecasting community engagement and evacuation, proactive capacity building and training in emergency response management, disaster forecasting, prevention control and early response, establishment of realtime data room, active engagement and collaboration with relevant national and international agencies, enhance staff welfare and motivation anchored on attainment of Key Performance Indicators and the continuous monitoring and evaluation of departmental of field.
Her focus areas encompasses various critical aspects of disaster management, including Humanitarian Coordination Mechanism, Disaster Management Cycle, Institutional Capacity, Resource Mobilization, Information Management, Community-Based Disaster Management, Search and Rescue, Incident Command System, Disaster Preparedness, Risk Management, and Early Warning Systems. She has a team at NEMA working to earn the trust and confidence of Nigerians in line with the renewed hope agenda of the President.
Under her watch, there is no room for toying with people’s lives, disasters or emergencies. I therefore solicit concrete suggestions and ideas on improving the way we do things apart from improving staff welfare and motivation.
Her illustrious career includes serving as the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services at the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) before assuming the esteemed position of the first female Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). With over two decades of experience in the corporate sector, Umar is a prominent figure in the financial landscape.
She is an active member of prestigious organizations including the Chartered Institute of Bankers and the Institute of Credit Administration of Nigeria. Umar’s tenure as General Manager of Zonal Coordination at FMBN saw her spearheading various reform initiatives, particularly in ICT implementation, policy formulation, and risk management. Her leadership also facilitated the execution of high-value projects aimed at enhancing organizational efficiency and effectiveness.Before her tenure at FMBN, Umar served at the Debt Management Office (DMO) from 2001 to 2006. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in monitoring and managing Nigeria’s domestic and foreign debts, contributing significantly to the country’s financial stability.Umar’s dedication to professional development is evident in her participation in numerous leadership and management programs, including those at the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania, USA, and specialized courses in communication, project management, and affordable housing programs across the globe.
In conclusion, NEMA under her leadership’s commitment to enhancing disaster management capabilities through training and collaboration with international partners demonstrates a proactive approach to safeguarding lives and property in Nigeria. The agency’s dedication to continuous improvement and capacity development is a testament to its mission of effectively responding to and managing disasters at all levels. As NEMA continues to strengthen its partnerships and invest in its personnel, the nation is better prepared to face and mitigate the challenges posed by disasters, ensuring a safer and more resilient future for all.
