A Look at Nigeria’s Bourgeoning Emergency Management System: Challenges, Opportunities, and Recommendations for Improvement

Abstract

Emergency management in Nigeria, a country once known as the Giant of Africa, is in its infancy. Although organized responses to disasters date back to the early 1900s when the Fire Brigade was in charge of putting out fires, protecting properties, and helping communities respond to disasters, a comprehensive approach to emergency management only began in 1999. However, since then, Nigeria’s emergency management system has undergone tremendous changes. These include better organizational structure, more funding, curriculum development in emergency management education programs, increased training of emergency personnel, and more collaboration with other countries on emergency management issues. Nevertheless, this bourgeoning disaster management system still has a long way to go and faces innumerable challenges, including poverty, lack of funding for emergency management programs, and marginalization, among many others. This chapter examines the history of Nigeria, including its demography and geography, and takes a look at the factors contributing to vulnerability to disasters and hazards in Nigeria. In addition, this chapter discusses some past disasters as well as the opportunities and the challenges facing Nigeria’s emergency management system. This chapter concludes with recommendations for improving Nigeria’s emergency management system.