Vice President Kashim Shettima says Nigeria is set to embrace a new phase of data-driven disaster preparedness, announcing a special intervention fund of N166 billion for anticipatory action in 2026.
Shettima, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, made the disclosure on Thursday at the National Conference on Anticipatory Action, organised by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Abuja.
He said the Federal Government has approved the fund to support early response mechanisms that prevent disasters before they escalate, stressing that Nigeria must transition from reactive aid to proactive protection.
The Vice President noted that the government is intensifying investments in data-generating institutions, climate-resilient agriculture, improved flood-forecasting technology—including machine-learning systems like IGNITIA—as well as community-driven adaptation strategies.
According to him, the goal is to build a country “where early warnings are not just issued, but heard, understood, and acted upon,” ensuring communities are not left at the mercy of floods, failed rains or environmental degradation.
“Our commitment is clear: Nigeria must become a nation that anticipates rather than reacts,” he said. “We cannot continue waiting helplessly for rescue. We must be proactive, resilient and innovative.”
A Moral and Strategic Imperative
Shettima described anticipatory action as more than a humanitarian tool—it is a development strategy, a climate-response mechanism, and an essential component of good governance.
He emphasised that reliable data and swift financing can prevent avoidable losses, adding that timely interventions reduce the long-term cost of disasters and strengthen community stability.
“With accurate forecasts and early support, we can help families evacuate before flooding, protect farms ahead of drought, and provide cash assistance before households turn to desperate coping mechanisms,” he said.
The Vice President warned that Nigeria is already experiencing the harsh impact of climate change. He cited recurrent floods across more than 26 states, reduced agricultural output in the North, and rising outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and meningitis linked to changing weather patterns.
“These are not abstract climate events,” he said. “They determine whether families eat, whether children stay in school, and whether communities remain intact.”
Shettima urged both domestic and international donors to increase financial support for anticipatory action, noting that every naira invested before a crisis saves multiple times that amount after disaster strikes.
“This is not charity—it is strategic investment in the stability and resilience of Africa’s largest nation,” he said.
Earlier, IRC Country Director Babatunde Ojei said anticipatory action represents “the power to prevent suffering before it begins.”
He stressed that Nigeria can no longer afford to respond only after devastation hits, insisting that the country must seize the opportunity to turn science, data, and leadership into meaningful protection for vulnerable communities.