Ribadu Harps on Proactive Disaster Management to Safeguard National Security
Amid growing climate-related threats, National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has called on government agencies at all levels to adopt proactive and anticipatory strategies in managing disasters, warning that failure to do so could escalate existing security challenges.
Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja at the opening of a high-level workshop on coordinated disaster risk monitoring and communication, Ribadu emphasized that the country’s national security is increasingly intertwined with how it handles natural disasters such as floods.
The workshop, hosted at the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), brought together policymakers and stakeholders to re-examine the role of disaster preparedness in national stability.
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Ribadu warned that reactive approaches are no longer sustainable, citing that unmanaged disasters can lead to widespread displacement, destruction of infrastructure, and worsening societal fragility. “If we fail to prepare, we risk overwhelming our response systems when crises occur,” he said.
He commended the attendance of Vice President Kashim Shettima and other high-ranking officials, describing their presence as a strong endorsement of the federal government’s “whole-of-society” approach to disaster risk reduction and security planning.
The workshop highlighted the need for strengthened data-sharing frameworks, improved risk communication, and integration of disaster response into national development strategies.
Organized under Nigeria’s broader security and resilience agenda, the event reinforced the growing understanding that effective disaster management is no longer solely a humanitarian concern—but a core element of national security policy.
By PRNigeria
