The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have agreed to deepen collaboration to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness and response to disasters and other emergencies.
The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, stated this during a visit to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
Umar said the meeting provided an opportunity for both organisations to discuss areas of mutual interest and strengthen their existing partnership, particularly in search and rescue operations, humanitarian assistance, emergency logistics and capacity building.
She said NEMA attaches great importance to inter-agency collaboration, noting that the increasing complexity of emergencies requires the coordinated deployment of available national capabilities and resources.
“The increasing complexity of emergencies requires the coordinated deployment of available national capabilities and resources,” Umar said.
She also called for stronger coordination between NEMA and the Nigerian Air Force Disaster Response Units to ensure the timely mobilisation and deployment of military support whenever required during emergencies.
Umar expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Air Force for its longstanding support to NEMA and other civil authorities during emergency operations across the country.
She assured the Air Force that NEMA would continue to deepen the partnership to improve emergency response and disaster management.
Responding, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Air Force to supporting national disaster management efforts within its constitutional responsibilities and capabilities.
Aneke acknowledged the importance of effective collaboration between military and civil authorities in responding to emergencies.
He assured NEMA of the continued support of the Nigerian Air Force in areas where its capabilities are required.
Both organisations agreed to sustain engagement, joint capacity-building programmes, simulation exercises, information sharing and operational coordination to further strengthen Nigeria’s emergency response system.
The collaboration is expected to improve the country’s ability to mobilise resources, conduct search and rescue operations and provide humanitarian assistance during disasters.
The visit further reinforced the longstanding partnership between NEMA and the Nigerian Air Force in protecting lives, reducing the impact of disasters and strengthening national resilience.