The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing joint efforts in emergency preparedness, food assistance, and humanitarian response across Nigeria.
 
The MoU was formally signed on yesterday at the NEMA Headquarters in Abuja.
 
In her remarks, the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, described the agreement as “a significant milestone in our collective commitment to sustainable partnership,” noting that it aligns with Nigeria’s national development priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger.
 
 
Mrs. Zubaida Umar recalled that NEMA first entered an MoU with WFP in 2017, which supported productive collaboration until its expiration in December 2022. The review and renewal of the MoU, she said, will reinvigorate structured cooperation and enable joint action under WFP’s Nigeria Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023–2027.
 
She commended WFP for its life-saving interventions, technical support, and contributions to resilience building, especially in communities impacted by climate change and declining humanitarian financing. 
 
The DG reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to the partnership, emphasizing that it will “promote human capacity development, reduce community vulnerability, and restore human dignity,” and stressing that coordinated action between institutions like NEMA and WFP remains essential to saving lives and advancing national development aspirations.
 
The WFP Country Director was represented by Mr. Guy Adoua, WFP Deputy Director, who led the delegation. He praised NEMA’s leadership in national emergency coordination and reaffirmed WFP’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in tackling food insecurity and responding to humanitarian needs. He noted that the renewed MoU provides a stronger framework for collaborative planning, resource mobilization, logistics support, and data-driven decision-making during emergencies.
 
The Deputy Director, Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr. Abbani Imam Garki, appreciated WFP’s continuous support and reaffirmed NEMA’s readiness to operationalise the new agreement. He noted that the strengthened partnership will bolster Nigeria’s humanitarian architecture and improve outcomes for communities affected by disasters.