PULA Advisors Partners NEMA As FG Launches Flood Protection Scheme In 4 High-Risk States

The Federal Government has launched a pilot flood protection programme targeting 100,000 vulnerable riverine households across four flood-prone states, in a major step towards strengthening disaster preparedness and reducing the impact of recurring floods.

The initiative, a partnership between the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and PULA Advisors, will be implemented in Anambra, Benue, Kebbi and Kogi States, all identified among Nigeria’s most flood-vulnerable areas in the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook.

Speaking on Tuesday at the opening of a two-day Technical Workshop on the Riverine Household Flood Protection Pilot Exercise in Abuja, NEMA Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar Abubakar, said the programme underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to shifting from disaster response to proactive risk management.

She explained that the initiative aligns with the Government’s Disaster Risk Reduction strategy and NEMA’s 2026–2029 Strategic Plan, which prioritises early warning systems and disaster risk financing.

According to her, the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook identifies about 23 states as high-risk for flooding, with the four pilot states among the most vulnerable.

“This initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction.

Our strategic plan places strong emphasis on early warning and disaster risk financing,” she said.

“The 2026 Annual Flood Outlook again lists about 23 states at high risk of flooding, and the four pilot states are among the most vulnerable.

“This reality demands that we move beyond responding to disasters after they occur. We must embrace innovative approaches that anticipate risks, reduce vulnerabilities and provide timely financial protection for those most at risk.”

Representing PULA Advisors, the company’s Country Director, Dr Mike Enahoro, praised the collaboration, describing it as a significant move towards protecting communities before disasters strike.

He noted that the Nigerian Government had consistently taken steps to mitigate the devastating effects of flooding and said the partnership was designed to complement those efforts through proactive disaster management.

“We recognised the Federal Government’s commitment to reducing the impact of flooding, particularly on people living in vulnerable communities. Through NEMA, we are working to ensure that our approach is proactive rather than reactive,” Enahoro said.

He also commended NEMA’s leadership for engaging PULA Advisors to develop sustainable solutions to reduce the impact of floods on at-risk populations.

Also speaking, Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Benjamin Chucks, welcomed the initiative, noting that the state had suffered enormous losses during previous flooding disasters.

He recalled that the devastating 2022 floods affected more than four million Nigerians and displaced over 2.5 million people, with Anambra among the hardest-hit states.

Dr Chucks expressed confidence that the flood protection scheme would help ease the financial burden on affected states while providing much-needed support for vulnerable households.

He added that the entrepreneurial spirit of Anambra residents would encourage widespread acceptance of the programme.

The workshop marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the Riverine Household Flood Protection Pilot. This forward-looking initiative harnesses disaster risk financing to strengthen community resilience and safeguard vulnerable households before floods occur, rather than relying solely on post-disaster relief.