Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has emphasized the importance of investing in disaster preparedness, stating that every naira spent on such efforts is an investment in the lives of Nigerians.
Speaking at the 2025 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction event held in Abuja on Monday, Shettima highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to empowering communities to manage their own safety during floods and other humanitarian emergencies.
Shettima explained that the federal government plans to bolster emergency management agencies at the state and local government levels by providing training and necessary technologies to effectively tackle disaster challenges.
According to a statement from his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President stressed that preparedness will only be effective if communities are empowered to take charge of their safety.
While acknowledging the critical role of resilience in handling crises, Shettima pointed out that it cannot always be guaranteed.
He further called for enhanced collaboration between the private sector and various levels of government to integrate risk reduction into corporate planning and investment decisions.
“We count on them to shape the knowledge that guides our decisions. And we expect our civil society to hold us accountable, to raise awareness, and to mobilize citizens around the shared responsibility of preparedness.
But none of these efforts will yield results unless we empower and support our communities to take ownership of their safety. They are the foundation of whatever strategy we adopt and the heartbeat of our national resilience,” he said.
Shettima added, “Every naira we spend today on preparedness saves many more tomorrow on response and recovery. Every investment in resilience is, in truth, an investment in the lives and futures of our people.”
The Vice President also urged all partners to ensure that commitments are matched with tangible actions and that policies are backed by adequate funding to effectively address disaster risks.
Also addressing the gathering, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Tanko Sununu, noted that Nigeria, like other nations, has experienced its share of natural and man-made disasters. Sununu explained that the meeting aimed to develop a comprehensive strategy for disaster management.
He stressed the importance of diversifying Nigeria’s funding sources and reviewing the country’s strategic framework to enhance efforts toward reaching citizens in underserved communities.
