Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for stronger collaboration among state emergency management agencies (SEMAs) to enhance Nigeria’s preparedness and response to disasters.
He made the call at the maiden National State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Conference held at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Sheralton Hotel, Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said the summit’s theme, ‘Strengthening Sub-National Emergency Management for a Resilient Nigeria,’ underscored the need for coordinated strategies to confront floods, epidemics, fires, industrial accidents, and the growing threat of climate change.
He stressed that resilience at the national level depends largely on how prepared state-level agencies are to manage emergencies.
Highlighting Lagos’ own interventions, the governor said his administration has significantly upgraded the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) with new rescue equipment, digital monitoring tools, improved toll-free emergency lines, and a mobile app with GPS tracking.
He also listed the establishment of a Simulation Centre for scenario-based training, the expansion of the Lagos Response Unit (LRU), with modern ambulances and fire trucks, synchronization of hospital management services with emergency response to monitor availability of bed spaces and the closest facility to offer needed care to victims, as well as partnerships with international agencies and grassroots volunteer networks.
Sanwo-Olu recalled LASEMA’s swift response during last year’s flash floods and a recent building collapse in Mushin, saying the outcomes demonstrated the value of preparedness, coordination, and technology-driven response.
‘Emergencies require more than just a reaction; they call for preparedness. The true strength of our nation lies in our shared readiness and unity when facing challenges,’ he said.
In her remark, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, commended Lagos for its pioneering efforts in deploying technology, decentralising response units, and building resilient communities. She noted that emergency management must move from being reactive to predictive, preventive, and participatory.
Umar said NEMA would continue to strengthen early warning systems, improve data management, and expand grassroots capacity building in collaboration with state agencies, private sector partners, and communities.
She emphasised the need for effective policy creation, urging states to identify their peculiarities and take steps to address them rather than seeing SEMA as a palliative agency.
In his welcome address, the Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties, Olugbenga Oyerinde, noted it was the first time leaders of all the SEMAs of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), federal institutions, private sector leaders, international partners, and frontline responders would gather under one roof to strengthen Nigeria’s resilience against emergencies and disasters.
He said the conference marked a historic shift from a culture of reaction to a new era of readiness, recovery, and resilience.
‘When sub-national agencies are strong, Nigeria is strong. The recent loss of lives to avoidable disasters underscores the urgency of convening experts to identify solutions and prevent future tragedies.
‘Over the next two days, participants will engage in keynote sessions, panel discussions, exhibitions, and a large-scale simulation exercise to test coordination in real time.
‘The Lagos State Government commends the private sector, civil society, and international partners for their support, stressing that disaster management is a collective responsibility that requires inclusiveness and relentless commitment to protect lives and build safer communities,’ he added.
Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, during an interview with journalists, said the agency has concluded plans for the unveiling of its institute on Saturday, adding that the first intakes would commence training by December.
On Saturday, we are going to have our Institute of Emergency Management, which will ensure they build capacity, not only in Lagos State, but in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We’ll be sharing capacity, information, and knowledge with international communities. We are collaborating with the International Organization of Migration (IOM).
‘Moreover, we won’t need other people from other countries to come and teach us what we need to do. We will have that institute. We will build the capacity of all our responders.
‘By Saturday, it will be launched, and I am sure they are going to have their first intake by December.’ he said.
He commended the governor for taking ownership of emergency management and providing clear political will to ensure the safety of life and property.
‘We are now looking holistically, we are building the resilience to all the local governments and encouraging all the states to do the same.
‘We did a simulation here today to show the good people of Lagos State that we are capable, that we have the personnel and ability to manage any form of emergency or disaster in the state. We also did it to showcase the kind of sophisticated equipment that we have, like the light-duty and heavy equipment.
‘We want our people to know that we have the biceps to work 24 hours, to manage the golden hour very well. We want our people to have confidence in us and develop the right positive attitude towards emergency management. Disaster is everyone’s business.