In a proactive move to tackle the rising threat of climate-induced disasters, the Federal Government has unveiled a groundbreaking anticipatory action plan aimed at shifting Nigeria’s disaster response from a reactive to a preventive model.
Vice President Kashim Shettima officially launched the Anticipatory Action Framework on Wednesday in Abuja, as part of efforts to enhance the country’s readiness for the 2025 rainy season. The strategy focuses on early warning systems, localized preparedness, and pre-arranged financing to protect lives and property from devastating floods and other natural disasters.
“This is a timely intervention,” the Vice President said at the validation workshop held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC). “We must stop waiting for the waters to rise and act before disaster strikes.”
Over five million Nigerians were affected by floods in 2024, and experts warn of even more severe weather events in the coming months. VP Shettima highlighted the economic toll of reactive responses, estimating that the country loses nearly 5% of its GDP annually due to delayed disaster relief efforts.
The new framework establishes a “trigger group” — a collaboration between key national agencies like NiMet, NiHSA, NEMA, NASRDA, and NOA — which will leverage real-time data to issue disaster alerts up to two weeks in advance. The initiative also partners with international bodies such as the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Shettima cited a recent success story in Benue State, where early warning systems led to the evacuation of over 80,000 residents within 72 hours. “This is the power of forecasting tools paired with real-time communication in languages people understand,” he said.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Proffessor Nentawe Yilwatda, reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to operationalising the framework. He called for the use of the National Social Register to guide targeted responses and recommended the development of a national risk management protocol and a real-time monitoring centre.
United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, praised the initiative, noting that Nigeria’s leadership could inspire similar models across West Africa.
National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu also emphasized the security implications of poorly managed disasters, warning they could fuel instability and weaken infrastructure.
Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Inna Audu, echoed the call for a systemic shift in disaster management. “The time for piecemeal responses is over,” she said. “We must adopt a future-focused approach where data, people, and policies work in synergy.”
Representatives from the European Union, civil society groups, development agencies, and private sector organizations offered goodwill messages and pledged their support for the framework’s implementation.