NATIONAL DROUGHT PREPAREDNESS PLAN
Plan · Environment
A Plan provides a framework for assessing drought conditions, reducing vulnerability, and implementing mitigation measures in Nigeria. It targets government agencies, farmers, pastoralists, and rural communities for coordinated monitoring and response. The plan aims to build community resilience through early warning systems and sustainable management.
What Is This Policy?
The National Drought Preparedness Plan is Nigeria’s systematic framework for assessing drought conditions, reducing vulnerability, and implementing long-term mitigation measures. It shifts focus from reactive emergency responses to proactive risk management.
Who Does It Target?
The plan is directed at government agencies (Federal Ministry of Environment, NEMA, Nigerian Meteorological Agency), ensuring coordinated drought monitoring and response. It also targets farmers, pastoralists, and rural communities, who are most vulnerable to drought impacts.
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
The plan aims to reduce Nigeria’s vulnerability to drought by strengthening early warning systems, promoting sustainable land and water management, and building community resilience.
Key Features
Ten-Step Planning Process: Gender-responsive and participatory. Early Warning Systems: Led by NiMet and the Ministry of Environment. Community Engagement: Local participation in drought monitoring and adaptation. Risk Assessment: Identifying vulnerable regions (Sudano-Sahelian states most at risk). Mitigation Measures: Sustainable agriculture, water conservation, and reforestation. Capacity Building: Training institutions and communities in drought preparedness.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: active Coverage: applies nationwide Beneficiaries to Date: Farmers, pastoralists, and communities in drought-prone regions; exact figures not publicly available. Funding: Federal Government allocations, international donor support (FAO, UNDP).
Important Terms
Term 1-Drought Preparedness This means planning ahead to reduce vulnerability before droughts occur, rather than reacting only after impacts are felt. It includes developing contingency plans, stockpiling resources, training communities, and integrating drought risk into national development strategies. Preparedness shifts the focus from emergency relief to long-term resilience. Term 2- Early Warning Systems (EWS) These are forecasting and monitoring tools that predict drought conditions and alert communities in advance. In Nigeria, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) uses rainfall data, soil moisture indices, and satellite imagery to issue warnings. Effective EWS allow farmers and pastoralists to adjust planting, grazing, and water use before drought intensifies.
Official Resources
• Federal Ministry of Environment Website: 📍 Address: Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja 📞 Phone: +234 (0) 9 234 0770 ✉️ Email: [email protected] • Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) Website: https://nimet.gov.ng • National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Website: https://nema.gov.ng Link to document- https://www.unccd.int/sites/default/files/country_profile_documents/1%2520FINAL_NDP_Nigeria.pdf
Legal Framework
The National Drought Preparedness Plan operates under the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Act 1999, the Environmental Impact Assessment Act 1992, and the National Policy on Climate Change. It aligns with the Climate Change Act 2021, the Desertification Control Programme, and Nigeria's obligations under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030.