The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has conducted a full-scale flood simulation exercise in Kano State, as part of its renewed efforts to improve disaster preparedness and strengthen stakeholder coordination ahead of anticipated 2025 flood incidents.
The exercise, code-named “Ex-Ceton Rayuka,” was held on Saturday, July 5, 2025, along the riverside in Wudil, Kano State. It aimed to test inter-agency response mechanisms in flood-prone areas that may be affected by potential releases from the Tiga, Challawa, and Bagauda Dams.
These releases could significantly impact downstream communities in Kano, Jigawa, and Yobe States.
Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, who personally supervised the operation, said the initiative was part of NEMA’s broader strategy to transition from reactive to proactive disaster management.
“Flooding remains one of the most recurrent and devastating disasters in Nigeria. The simulation is a vital part of our preparedness plan, allowing us to identify gaps and improve coordination among stakeholders,” she said.
Mrs. Umar added that similar exercises had been carried out in other flood-prone states such as Anambra, stressing that early preparedness is critical to saving lives and reducing damage.
The simulation brought together multiple stakeholders including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Fire Service, Police, dam operators, local divers, and the Nigerian Red Cross. Also present were disaster response units of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with officials from state ministries, community volunteers, and Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs).
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, commended NEMA for its leadership in disaster preparedness and reiterated the state’s commitment to proactive flood response strategies.
The Director of Search and Rescue at NEMA, Air Commodore Kenneth Oyong, said the lessons learned from the simulation would inform future responses. He noted that gaps identified would be addressed through continuous training and stakeholder engagement.
Heads of State Emergency Management Agencies from Jigawa, Katsina, and Yobe States also attended the exercise, alongside observers from the Office of the Vice President, the Nigerian Senate, the Office of the National Security Adviser, Defence Headquarters, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA).
The flood simulation marked the climax of a four-day series of activities led by NEMA in Kano, which included advocacy visits, capacity-building workshops, and community sensitization sessions—all aimed at enhancing resilience and reducing the impact of flood disasters.
