By Abdussamad Yahya Sufi
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| ABU VC and NEMA DG during courtesy visit |
The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, has described the performance of the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, as a source of pride to the university.
Speaking on Monday, July 13, 2026 during a courtesy visit by ABU’s management team to NEMA, Prof. Ahmed said the agency had strengthened disaster preparedness and response under Mrs. Umar’s leadership.
He said NEMA had also enhanced stakeholder coordination, promoted disaster risk reduction, and provided timely humanitarian assistance to affected communities.
“These achievements have strengthened public confidence in the agency and reflected Mrs. Umar’s dedication to national service,” he said.
Prof. Ahmed said the NEMA boss, an alumna of ABU, continues to exemplify the values of excellence, integrity, and service that the university seeks to instill in its graduates.
He appreciated NEMA’s support in establishing ABU’s Centre for Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies, adding that the support provided a solid foundation for research, capacity building, and policy engagement in disaster risk management.
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| NEMA DG, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, at the meeting |
The Vice-Chancellor emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between universities and operational agencies, saying it was essential as disasters become more frequent and complex due to climate change, environmental degradation, rapid urbanization, and other emerging challenges.
He said ABU remains committed to supporting NEMA through research, policy development, professional training, and technological innovation.
Prof. Ahmed also urged NEMA to use ABU SPESSECE, the university’s Centre of Excellence on environmental and social standards and sustainable procurement, as a platform for collaboration to strengthen the agency’s emergency activities.
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| ABU management team and NEMA officials in group photograph |
He expressed gratitude to the Director-General for the warm reception and for NEMA’s continued support to ABU.
In her response, Mrs. Umar thanked the delegation for the visit, describing it as her most exciting moment since assuming office. She briefed the team on NEMA’s activities and said the agency would collaborate with the university to strengthen its operations.
Members of the ABU delegation included the Registrar, Rabiu Samaila; Prof. Muhammad Nasir Maiturare of the Department of Actuarial Science; Prof. M.I. Umar-Buratai, Director of DAIE; Prof. Shehu Abbas, Director of the Centre for Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies; Auwalu Umar, Director of Public Affairs; Dr. Ahmed Zakariyya, Assistant Director, Advancement Services; and Malam Haruna Ajo, University Liaison Officer.