Earlier today, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the North-West Development Commission (NWDC), Professor Shehu Abdullahi Maβaji, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Nigeria, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, at the Agencyβs headquarters in Abuja.
Professor Maβaji reaffirmed the Commissionβs commitment to driving strategic partnerships with key federal institutions in advancing the development objectives of the North-West region. He emphasized that as a newly established regional development agency, the NWDC is poised to collaborate closely with NEMA to strengthen disaster risk reduction, enhance emergency response, and promote sustainable development across the North-West geopolitical zone.
He highlighted that the region continues to face challenges such as flooding, drought, insecurity, and displacement, noting that these issues require a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach. He shared the Commissionβs vision to work closely with NEMA in developing joint frameworks for data collection, humanitarian intervention, and community-based disaster preparedness. Prof. Maβaji also expressed optimism that this partnership would eliminate duplication of efforts and ensure more efficient and impactful outcomes for vulnerable communities.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar commended the NWDC for its proactive approach and reaffirmed NEMAβs readiness to collaborate with the Commission. She briefed the delegation on NEMAβs zonal operational offices in Kaduna, Kano, and Sokoto, which coordinate disaster preparedness and response efforts across the region. She also underscored the Agencyβs extensive partnerships with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and Local Emergency Management Committees all geared toward bringing emergency response closer to the grassroots.
The Director General thereafter conducted the NWDC delegation on a guided tour of NEMAβs Operations Centre, where she provided insights into the Agencyβs coordination framework with sister organizations. She explained that the Centre leverages real-time monitoring systems to oversee emergency activities nationwide, ensuring data-driven decision-making and timely response operations.
Both leaders reaffirmed their joint commitment to coordinated interventions, capacity building, and post-disaster recovery efforts ensuring that communities across the North-West are better prepared, supported, and empowered to thrive in the face of adversity.
October 15, 2025.
