RESTRICTED

DJS/CP/SC34

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND

1. The civilisation and activities of man have sometimes been guided

by the changes in climate at various times in human existence. ( ) Human

beings had to device various means of surviving the challenges associated

with these changes in climate. Some of the effects of the changes include

famine, drought and flooding to mention a few. The issue of climate

change however, spans beyond the common understanding of variation in

weather over a period of time. It could also be understood to mean the

changes in the atmospheric temperature of the earth over a long period of

time.2

2. Significant changes in global climate in time past are most notable

in the alternating series of warm and cool periods. These changes have

resulted in defining time periods known as ages in mans existence.

Some of these ages include the Ice Age, which was between 10,000 and 2

million years ago, Alitithermal Period 7000 years ago, Medieval Warm

Epoch around AD 1,000 and the Little Ice Age that ended at about 1650.

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

3. Today, as the study on climate change continues to develop,

scientists were able to discover an increasing global atmospheric

temperature, which is often referred to as global warming. Record-high

global temperatures dominated the past 2 decades, for both land and

ocean and for both day and night.3 According to Intergovernmental Panel

on Climate Change (IPCC), the global average surface temperatures have

increased by about 0.6 +- 0.2oC since the late nineteenth Century and 0.2

to 0.3oC over the past 25 years. These temperatures have been projected

to increase from 1.4 to 5.80 from 1990 to 2100.4 The Year 2005 has been

placed as the warmest in the meteorological station record by a

preliminary analysis. The Year 1998 was second from 1995, the records

of the years were near those of these 2 years.5

4. In the quest to ascertain the reason for such astronomical increase

in temperature, further observation and modelling studies were carried

out. This led to the confirmation that the radiative effect of the build-up

of greenhouse gases is responsible for the present climate change or

global warming.6 These greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, water

vapour, chlorofluorocarbons, methane, troposphere ozone and nitrous

oxide. The prevailing global climate change has been described as the

most serious and the most difficult environmental issue to manage among

those that have emerged in the past few decades.7 Some of these
2

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

devastating environmental issues include prolonged drought, expanding

desertification, famine, flooding, drying up and shrinking of water bodies.

These environmental issues of global warming have led to many disasters

around the world that have cost the world lives and huge amount of

properties.

5. The data collected by the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology

of Disaster (CRED) revealed that disasters triggered by natural hazards

are killing more people over time and costing more. 8 The worlds poorer

nations are disproportionately affected and the most vulnerable and

marginalised people in these nations bear the brunt. 9 The CRED data

shows that economic losses have risen sevenfold since the 1960s, with

reported losses of United States Dollar 659.9 billion in the 1990s. 10 Two-

thirds of these economic losses reported were accrued by More

Developed Countries (MDCs). However, deaths are concentrated in Less

Developed Countries (LDCs).11 Although MDCs suffer substantial

economic ramifications, this masks the real impact on poorer nations.

6. Disasters may be natural in origin, but it is the way in which

societies have developed that causes them to become disasters. 12 In the

bid to check and ameliorate the effects of global warming, various

international and national initiatives have been put in place. The disaster

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

management initiatives are carried out by various international,

governmental and non-governmental agencies around the world. Their

tasks also revolve around the issues of disaster prevention, which may

include the education and enlightenment on the issue of global warming

and promoting ways of reducing it. Disaster management can be defined

as a continuous and integrated process of planning, organising,

coordinating and implementing measures that are necessary or expedient

for the prevention of danger or threat of any disaster mitigation or

reduction of risk of any disaster or its severity or consequence and

capacity building.13

7. Disaster management in Nigeria is also not a new phenomenon

especially as it involves the issue of global warming. This is apart from

the fact that Nigeria is also a member of the IPCC. Nigeria witnessed a

high level of rainfall in both the Northern and Southern part of the

country in 2011, which scientists related to the effect of global warming.

These rainfalls resulted in devastating flooding in some places and led to

the destruction of lives and properties especially farmlands in the

Northern region.14 Some other effects of global warming in Nigeria

include the growing desertification and drought in the Northern part of

the country. The increasing sea level in Lagos, which has been attributed

to the issue of global warming, has been a threat to infrastructural

4

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

development in that area. Nevertheless, in order to manage impending

disasters and disaster occurrences, the Federal Government of Nigeria

(FGN) established the National Emergency Management Agency

(NEMA).

STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

8. Global warming related disasters have enormous effects on Nigeria

as a whole. The manifest inability of the FGN through NEMA to

effectively manage disasters is a reflection of the pervading low national

disaster management capability. Particular challenges run deep through

the inadequacies of conceptualisation, establishment, organisation and

attitudes to disaster management in the country.

9. Additionally, historical missteps in information sharing,

integration, coordination and uninspiring capacity building mechanisms

collectively undermine the global warming related disaster management

effectiveness with cumulative negative effect on national economy.

Consequently, this study seeks to provide answers to the following

research questions:

a. What is the relationship between global warming and

disaster management?

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

b. What is the role of FGN in disaster management and to what

extent has the FGN performed these roles?

c. What are the challenges to and prospects of improved

disaster management in Nigeria?

d. What are the strategies to strengthen the performance of the

FGN in disaster management resulting from global warming?

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

10. The main objective of this study is to examine the mechanism of

disaster management in Nigeria. The specific objectives are to:

a. Establish a relationship between global warming and disaster

management.

b. Examine the roles of FGN in disaster management and the

performance of these roles.

c. Identify the challenges to and prospects of improved

disaster management in Nigeria.

d. Proffer strategies that can strengthen the performance of the

FGN in disaster management resulting from global warming.

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

11. It is expected that the study will be beneficial to the FGN, NEMA

and agencies associated with disaster management in the quest to develop

policies that will enhance effective disaster management in Nigeria. Also,

it is expected that the study will serve as a useful reference material for a

broad range of users particularly those undertaking research into the area.

It may also serve to bring other government agencies such as Nigerian

Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) effectively on

board to form a greater synergy based on existing guidelines. Lastly, the

study would provoke further research into the subject matter.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

12. The study of disaster management covers the period from

year 1997 to 2011. This was the period the FGN began a systematic

approach to disaster management in the country. The content of the study

focuses on disasters resulting from global warming because their

destructive tendencies and the attendant colossal losses in terms of lives

and properties have adverse effects on national economy.

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

METHODOLOGY

13. The study is essentially a descriptive research. The methodology

of study involves the sources of data, method of data collection, data

analysis and presentation. These are outlined below:

14. Sources of Data. The study derived its data from both primary

and secondary sources. These are:

a. Primary Data. Primary data were collected through the

conduct of unstructured interviews with resource persons in

NEMA, NIMASA and other professionals. It also included the use

of questionnaires to collate data from respondents and a copy is at

Annex A.

b. Secondary Data. Secondary data were collected from

sources made up of relevant documents and from official

documents at NEMA and books, published materials, journals,

magazines and newspapers from libraries. The libraries visited

were those of the Ministry of Environment (MOE). National

Defence College (NDC), Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA),

National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru,

National Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Lagos, Ahmadu

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

Bello University (ABU) Zaria and the University of Lagos

(UNILAG). Other sources were lectures and the internet.

15. Methods of Data Collection. Primary data were collected

through unstructured interviews, consultations and discussions with

government officials and private individuals. These included experts on

the subject of global warming in the universities, NEMA, NIMASA and

MOE. Secondary data were sourced from published books, conference

proceedings, official reports, internet sources and libraries of Armed

Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), ABU, NIPPS, NIIA and

the United States Information Services (USIS).

a. Method of Data Analysis. Two methods of data

analysis were applied. These were qualitative and quantitative

methods. Primary data like unstructured interviews were analysed

qualitatively while secondary data like document searches were

analysed quantitatively.

b. Data Presentation. The data collected were presented

in descriptive form with the aid of tables, charts, figures and maps

as necessary.

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

16. The major limitation of this paper was mostly on the issue of

collating relevant data and statistics on the subject matter. Another

limitation was securing inputs from the principal officers in relevant

government ministries who were reluctant to release documents

considered official. However, this did not affect the validity of the study

as information collated from the internet and interviews with relevant

stakeholders were used to complement those obtained from officials. In

addition, deliberate and conscious efforts were made by the researcher to

crosscheck all information from appropriate authorities.

10

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

NOTES
1. PA Stoke, Human and Natural Forces, (Atlanta: Amy

White, 2005), p. 21.

2. Ibid, p. 28.

3. AW Christopherson, Elemental Geosystems, (New Jersey:

Pearson Prentice Hall, 2009), p. 24.

4. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, The Scientific Basis,

(New York: Cambridge University Press 2001), p. 345.

5. AW Christopherson, Op.Cit., p. 39.

6. TJ Crowley, Causes of Climate Changes over the past 1000 years,

Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol.106, No D23, 289 (2010),

pp. 270-277.

7. AE Dessler, EA Parson, The Science and Politics of Global

Climate Change: A Guide to the Debate, (Cambridge: Cambridge

University Press, 2006), pp. 123-125.

8. Centre for Research and the Epidemiology of Disaster (CRED),

Emergency Events Database, 12 June 2011, <http://www.un-

spider.org/guide-xn/2638/centre-research-epidemiology-disasters-

emergency-events-database-cred-em-dat> (10 October 2011).

11

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

9. IFRCRCS, World Disasters Report 2003, IFRCRCS

Publications and Reports, <http://www.ifrc.org/en/publications-and-

reports/world-disasters-reports/wdr2003/> (11 December 2011).

10. Ibid.

11. Ibid.

12. MO Nwagbara, MA Ijioma, GN Chima, Climate Change and

Flooding in Northern Nigeria: An Examination of Rainfall Trends

Over the Region, Conference Proceedings: Climate Change and the

Nigerian Environment. (Lagos: Longman, 2009), p. 253.

13. Geoff OBrien, Phil OKeefe, Joanne Rose and Ben Wisner,

Climate Change and Disaster Management, CLACC Reports 14

November 2009, <http://www.clacc.net/Documents/report

/j.1467-9523.2006.00307.pdf.> (4 December 2011).

14. Onwuka Nzechi, Lagos Flood: House Asks President to Sign

Climate Change Bill, Thisday Newspaper (Abuja), 14 July 2011, p. 25.

12

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

17. The earth is warming up and there is now overwhelming scientific

consensus of this occurrence and it is report to be human-induced. Over

the decade when the word climate change comes up in any discussion

whether local or international, mitigation would soon follow. This has

changed as the world has changed her focus from mitigation to adaption

of climate change. In order to appraise global warming related disasters

and its management in Nigeria, this chapter would conceptualise the key

variables and explain the applied theoretical framework. The key

variables conceptualised in this section are global warming, disaster and

disaster management. Thereafter, the relationship between global

warming and disaster management would be examined with a view to

understanding the roles expected to be played by FGN.

CONCEPT OF GLOBAL WARMING

18. According to Noam Mohr, the environmental community rightly

recognises global warming as one of the gravest threats to the planet.1

Mohr stated that global temperatures are already higher than they have

ever been in at least the past millennium and the increase is accelerating

13

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

even faster than the scientist had predicted.2 The expected consequences

according to Mohr include coastal flooding, increase in extreme weather,

spread of disease and mass extinctions of specific animals and plants.

19. IPCC viewed global warming as the increase in the average

temperature of the Earths near-surface air and the oceans since the mid-

twentieth century and its projected continuation.3 Global surface

temperature increased 0.74 0.18 C or 1.33 0.32 F during the 100

years ending in 2005.4 The panel concludes that anthropogenic

greenhouse gases are responsible for most of the observed temperature

increase since the middle of the Twentieth century. The panel also

highlighted that natural phenomena such as solar variation and volcanoes

probably had a small warming effect from pre-industrial times to 1950

and a small cooling effect afterward.5 These basic conclusions have been

endorsed by more than 40 scientific societies and academies of science,

including all of the national academies of science of the major

industrialised countries.6

20. Lu Jian sees Global warming as an observed or projected increase

in global average temperature.7 According to Lu, global warming refers to

the current rise in the average temperature of the Earths atmosphere and

oceans and its projected continuation as described in Figure 2.1 at annex

14

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

B. Lu Jian indicated that an increase in global temperature will cause sea

levels to rise and will change the amount and pattern of precipitation, and

a probable expansion of subtropical deserts and hence the climate.8

21. The British Encyclopaedia defined global warming in a succinct

manner when it stressed that global warming is the documented historical

warming of the Earths surface based upon worldwide temperature

records that have been maintained by humans since the 1880s. 9 The term

global warming is often used synonymously with the term climate

change, but the 2 terms have distinct meanings. In trying to differentiate

these 2 terms, Biji Adams stated that:

Global warming is the combined result of anthropogenic

emissions of greenhouse gases and changes in solar
irradiance, while climate change refers to any change in
the state of the climate that can be identified by changes in
the average and/or the variability of its properties e.g.,
temperature, precipitation, and that persists for an
extended period, typically decades or longer.10

22. Lisa Prososki outlined that most scientists agree that the Earth's

temperature has risen over the past century and that carbon dioxide is one

of the primary greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. 11 Lisa

stated further that disagreement persists, however, over whether or not

global climate change is a normal environmental variation, and over how

big of a problem global warming could become for the planet.12

15

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

23. Amidst such controversy, world leaders have met and outlined

legal rules, known as the Kyoto Protocol, to limit the emissions of

greenhouse gases. Presently there are 192 countries that collectively

represent 63.7 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide that have

ratified the Kyoto Protocol.13 The United States of America (USA)

however does not support the Kyoto Protocol and disagrees with a

number of its provisions. Instead, the USA is funding additional scientific

research on the causes and effects of global warming, encouraging

climate change technology research and development efforts. According

to the USA Department for Environment, this is aimed at looking at how

its own federal and state laws can regulate greenhouse gas emissions in

the USA, backing the research and development of renewable energy

sources and pursuing other strategies that it believes will address global

climate change without major upsets to the USA economy.14

CONCEPT OF GREENHOUSE EFFECT

24. Greenhouse gas is any of the atmospheric gases that contribute to

the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation produced by solar

warming of the Earth's surface.15 They include carbon dioxide (CO2),

methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (NO2) and water vapor. Table 2.1 shows the

major greenhouse gasses and their sources.

16

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

TABLE 2.1 THE MAJOR GREENHOUSE GASES AND THEIR

SOURCES

Serial Gas Sources (natural and man-made)

(a) (b) (c)
1. Carbon dioxide Burning of fossil fuels (power
house, industry, transport), burning
rainforests, respiration.
2. Methane Decaying vegetation (peat and in
swamps), farming (fermenting
animal dung and rice growing),
sewage disposal and landfill sites.
3. Nitrous Oxide Vehicle exhausts, fertilizer, nylon
manufacture, power stations.
4. Chlorofluorocarbon Refrigerators, aerosol sprays,
solvent and foam.
5. Water vapour Evaporation from the oceans,
evapotranspiration from the land
and vegetation

Source: MA Cunningham, WP Cunningham, Principles of

Environmental Science, (New York: Mc Graw-Hill, 2009), p. 204.

25. Greenhouse gases effectively absorb infrared radiation emitted by

the earths surface and by the clouds. Atmospheric radiation is emitted to

all sides, including downwards to the earths surface. This heat is returned

to the atmosphere as sensible heat, evapotranspiration (latent heat) and

thermal infrared radiation. The accumulation of greenhouse gases in the

Earths atmosphere is what results in global warming. 16 Most of this

17

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

radiation is absorbed by the atmospheric regions much colder than the

surface, which in turn emits radiation both up and down. This causes a

greenhouse effect. Thus, greenhouse gases trap heat within the surface

troposphere system and its effect is referred to as natural greenhouse

effect.

CONCEPT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

26. United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change

(UNFCCC) defines climate change as a change of climate that is

attributed directly or indirectly to human activity, that alters the

composition of the global atmosphere and that is in addition to natural

climate variability observed over comparable periods.17 IPCC defines

climate change as a change in the state of the climate that can be

identified by changes in the mean and/or the variability of its properties

and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer.18

27. For this research the definition of climate change given by IPCC

would be adopted. It was adopted because it referred to change in climate

over time, whether due to natural variability or because of human activity

and different from generally know terms like climatic fluctuations or

climatic variability. Climatic variability or fluctuations refer to variations

in the mean state and other statistics of the climate on all spatial and

18

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

temporal scales beyond that of individual weather events. Global

warming rather than being synonymous with climate change is an aspect

of it and discussions of global warming are usually subsumed under the

main topic of climate change.19

CONCEPT OF DISASTER

28. Disasters although have become a common phenomenon amongst

people, it however deserves a clear understanding in its definition and

area of conceptual analysis. In view of these, several definitions have

been identified which gives a clear view on the interpretation of the term

disaster. One of the earliest proponents of the definition of disaster is

Frischer who interpreted disaster as a state in which the social fabric is

disrupted and becomes dysfunctional to a greater or lesser extent. 20 This

definition however was not able to capture the scope, limitation or nature

of disasters.

29. Gotau who defined disasters as situations or events, which

overwhelm local capacity, necessitating a request to national or

international level for assistance, gives another of such definitions. 21

According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent

Societies (IFRCRCS) a disaster is a sudden, calamitous event that

seriously disrupts the functioning of a community or society and causes

19

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

human, material, and economic or environmental losses that exceed the

communitys or societys ability to cope using its own resources. 22

Though often caused by nature, disasters can also have human origins.

30. According to Isah Bagudu, Disaster is a sudden, calamitous event

bringing great damage, loss, and destruction and devastation to life and

property.23 The damage caused by disasters is immeasurable and varies

with the geographical location, climate and the type of the earth

surface/degree of vulnerability. This influences the mental, socio-

economic, political and cultural state of the affected area. It may also be

termed as a serious disruption of the functioning of society, causing

widespread human, material or environmental losses which exceed the

ability of the affected society to cope using its own resources.24 Disaster

according to K Jayachandran may have some features that include

unpredictability, unfamiliarity, speed, urgency, uncertainty and threat.25

31. Disasters and how they are managed, have however become the

subject of increasing research and debate in recent years. This heightened

interest signifies that the world has become a more dangerous place for its

inhabitants who are becoming more vulnerable to disasters. For the

purpose of this research, the definition of IFRCRCS is hereby adopted for

this study. It dwelled on the desired qualities of disaster. Like the scope,

20

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

nature and effect of disasters on us, our different environments and

societies. The most important factor for an event to be termed a disaster is

that it must affect people, hence the reason why government has plans

towards combating or mitigating the effects of disaster.

CONCEPT OF MANAGEMENT

32. The word management applies to many subjects and with a

different understanding. In other words, it has a broad meaning. Griffin

defines management as a set of activities including planning and

decision-making, suman, financial, physical and information with the aim

of achieving organisational goals in an efficient and effective manner.26

33. According to Krishna Kumari Subedi, management is that field of

human behavior in which managers plan, organise, staff, direct, and

control human, financial resources in an organised group effort in order to

achieve desired individual and group objectives with optimum efficiency

and effectiveness.27 Subedi finally summarised in a succinct manner the

definition of management as the art of getting things done through

people.28

34. Peter F Drucker defines management as the organisation and

coordination of the activities of an enterprise in accordance with certain

21

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

policies and in achievement of clearly defined objectives. 29 Management

is often included as a factor of production along with machines, materials

and money to achieve the desired aim. According to the management

guru Peter Drucker, the basic task of a management is 2 fold: marketing

and innovation in terms of the available resources.30 Management tends

to interlock functions such as formulation of corporate policies,

organisation, planning, control and directing the resources of the firm.

35. Management is also defined by Gomez-Mejia as the act of getting

people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using

available resources efficiently and effectively.31 He stressed that

management comprises planning, organising, staffing, leading or

directing, and controlling an organisation or effort for the purpose of

accomplishing a goal.32 Resourcing encompasses the deployment and

manipulation of human resources, financial resources, technological

resources and natural resources.

36. Although these definitions states what management connotes, they

are mostly streamlined to the area of financial and organisational

management. Gomez-Mejias definition will however be adopted because

it clearly states the fact that management using resources to achieve

goals. Some of these goals could also include managing disasters.

22

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

CONCEPT OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT

37. Disaster management can be defined as the organisation and

management of resources and responsibilities for dealing with all

humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in particular, preparedness,

response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters.33

38. According to Judith Winehouse, disaster management is a process

or strategy that is implemented when any type of catastrophic event takes

place.34 Sometimes referred to as disaster recovery management, the

process may be initiated when anything threatens to disrupt normal

operations or puts the lives of human beings at risk. Governments at all

levels as well as many businesses create some sort of disaster plan that

make it possible to overcome the catastrophe and return to normal

function as quickly as possible. The IFRCRCS defined disaster

management as the organisation and management of resources and

responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies,

in particular preparedness, response and recovery in order to lessen the

impact of disasters.35

39. Olaide Johnson posited that, one of the essential elements of

disaster management involves defining the types of catastrophes that

could possibly disrupt the day to day operation of a city, town, business,
23

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

or country.36 Identifying those potential disasters, he stated, makes it

possible to create contingency plans, assemble supplies, and create

procedures that can be initiated when and if a given disaster does come to

pass.37

40. A truly comprehensive disaster management plan will encompass a

wide range of possibilities that can easily be adapted in the event one

disaster sets off a chain reaction of other types of disasters in its wake.

Disaster management in the words of Olaide is the organisation and

management of resources and responsibilities for dealing with all

humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in particular preparedness, response

and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters.38

41. Disaster management is an enormous task. They are not confined

to any particular location; neither do they disappear as quickly as they

appear. Therefore, it is imperative that there is proper management to

optimize efficiency of planning and response. Due to limited resources,

collaborative efforts at the governmental, private and community levels

are necessary. This level of collaboration requires a coordinated and

organised effort to militate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover

from emergencies and their effects in the shortest possible time.

24

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

42. Carter defines disaster management as an applied science, which

seeks, by systematic observation and analysis of disasters, to improve

measures relating to prevention, mitigation, preparedness, emergency

response and recovery.39 He further posited that it is not only a series of

events which start and stop with each disaster occurrence. He represents

this view diagrammatically as shown in Figure 2.1 below.

FIGURE 2.2: BASIC FORMAT OF THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Source: W Nick Carter, Disaster Management: Disaster Managers

Handbook.

43. Olowu on the other hand conceives disaster management as the

body of policy regulation, administrative structures and operational

activities, which exist for dealing with disaster.40 Olowu further expressed

the operational activities in disaster management diagrammatically as

shown in Figure 2.3 below:

25

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

FIGURE 2.3: PHASES OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT CYCLE

Source: DO Olowu, Disaster Management in Nigeria, 2009.

44. Olowus notion is however, policy focused while Carter

emphasised the practical aspect of disaster management. Nevertheless,

both Olowu and Carters views of the phases of disaster are similar with

only differences in terminologies. Olaides view on disaster as the

organisation and management of resources and responsibilities for

dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies. This touches on the

desired qualities of disaster management in particular preparedness,

response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters. Olaides

definition captures the essence of all disaster management objectives and

so is adopted for this study.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GLOBAL WARMING AND

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

26

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

45. Global warming is created by such societal activities as the

combustion of fossil fuels and land use changes, but with wide ranging

consequences to our natural world and to human settlements all around

the world. While it is a profound global issue, in all of its manifestations

and components, global warming is a local issue as well. There is

growing scientific agreement that climate change will increase the

frequency and intensity of some hydro-meteorological disasters, posing

new challenges for disaster managers.41

46. Signatories to the UNFCCC and the 1997 Kyoto Protocol have

accepted that climate change brings with it many potential hazards. The

potential hazards include: rising of sea levels, increased storms and flood

frequency, the spread of infectious diseases, declines in biodiversity and

reduced availability of food and water.42 These impacts are a danger to

human life and sustainable development.

47. Government's role in disaster management is to address the degree

of risk present within an emergency and mitigate the effects on her

people. In the period between 2000 and 2007 of the more than 230

million people affected annually by disasters, in the World about 98 per

cent were due to climate-related hazards, predominantly floods and

windstorms, followed by droughts.43 During the period 1987-2006, the

27

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

number of reported disasters related to hydrometereological hazards

(droughts, floods, tropical storms, wild fires) showed a significant

increase: from an average of 195 per year in 1987-1998 to 365 per year

in 2000-2006.44

48. Variable precipitation and extreme temperatures will negatively

influence crop yields, vulnerability of already marginalised communities

to shocks and stresses.45 To mitigate against these disasters comes the

issue of management. Disaster management is strongly determined by the

resources available, the knowledge and information base available to

guide action, the infrastructure in place, the quality of institutions,

governance systems and urban planning, and the financial and

technological resources available for adaptation. Global warming

resulting in climate change is not a wholly new or separate issue but an

additional factor on top of many that determine disaster risk. We must,

therefore integrate the changing threats into regular disaster management

operations. Thus, there exist a direct relationship between Global

warming and Disaster management.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

49. Several theories such as the Social Risk Management (SRM), Asset

Based Approach, System Theory and Functionalism among others, can be

used to explain the phenomenon of disaster management and national

28

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

emergencies. Functionalism theory describes society as a whole in terms

of the function of its constituent elements such as norms, customs,

tradition and institutions.46 Emile Durkheim states that societies are

segmented with their component parts held together by shared values and

common symbols.47 He views societies as being coherent, bounded and

fundamentally related to one another, and function to achieve their overall

goals.48 The prominent variant of functionalism is the structural

functionalism, which explains that components and sub-components of a

system must work in tandem to ensure the overall well-being and survival

of the organisation.49

50. From the foregoing, the theory of functionalism is relevant to this

study. It can be applied to federal, states, local governments,

communities, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), among others to

harmonise their functions in the management of disasters. Each of these

response organisations has specified role to play during disasters. Hence,

their services are integrated and coordinated by NEMA to enhance

effective management of disasters.

51. The theoretical framework developed by Heltberg et al. 50 is also

applicable to this study. The framework presents and applies the social

risk management and asset-based approaches to the context of global

warming related disaster management. The SRM and asset-based

29

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

approaches provide a conceptual framework for understanding the

sequential links between disasters, human exposure and sensitivity. It also

tries to establish the impacts of global warming related disasters and

disaster management (or adaptation) strategies. This provides a unifying

conceptual framework to examine the characteristics of the risks due to

disaster related to global warming faced by Nigerias population; how

adaptation responses at multiple levels depend on livelihoods, policies,

and institutions; and household vulnerability outcomes.

52. It highlights the importance of a multidimensional and equitable

approach to disaster management and the need to include higher level

(national and international) disaster management interventions. This

includes disaster management policy and disaster protection/prevention

interventions to build resilience at the grass root level through improved

human and physical capital and access to risk management instruments

such as safety nets and insurance. This analytical framework helps focus

on the sequential links between climate risks, human vulnerability, and

interventions to help manage vulnerability to climate change. The

framework is consistent with IPCC definitions of vulnerability and

adaptation as shown in Figure 2.4 at annex C.51 It is on this basis that the

theoretical framework developed by Heltberg et al is adopted for this

study.
30

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

REVIEW OF SOME EXISTING LITERATURES

53. There are ample literatures from a varied number of sources, both

national and international to draw upon as regards global warming and

disaster management. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric

Agency of the USA and IPCC sponsored by the United Nations are 2 of

the largest contributors to the debate on global warming and its effect on

natural disasters. The IPCC 2007 report unequivocally states that global

warming is happening and that man has an effect on this increase in

global warming.

54. Rufai addressed disaster management in relation to the need for a

functional approach to disaster planning and management in Nigeria. 52 He

observed that reaction by public agencies and affected communities were

unorganised and ad-hoc in terms of Search and Rescue (SAR) as well as

recovery or rehabilitation programmes. He posited that this situation is

due to a lack of a comprehensive disaster planning and management

policy.53 Onyenecheres research was on Climate Change and Spatial

Planning Concerns in Nigeria: Remedial Measures for More Effective

Response.54 He posited that incidence of climate change is a reality and

Nigeria is vulnerability due to her less endowment with resources and

31

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

technology. Lastly calling for rural or urban planning and management

that ensures reduced risk to these climatic induced disasters.55

55. The literatures reviewed have established that most researchers

have differing views on the concepts of global warming and as it relates

to disaster management in the countries of the World and Nigeria.

However, they did not consider the implications of the knowledge of

global warming on FGN roles in disaster management, which would be

useful in the formulation of appropriate policies. This research therefore,

would use the survey research method to verify the roles FGN in disaster

management and the challenges it faces in conducting adequate disaster

management in Nigeria.

NOTES

1. Noam Mohr, A New Global Warming Strategy How

Environmentalists are Overlooking Vegetarianism as the Most Effective

Tool Against Climate Change in Our Lifetimes, An Earth Save

International Report, August 2005, p. 1.

2. Ibid.
32

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

3. IPCC, Climate Change: The Physical Science Basis, Fourth

Assessment Report (AR4), 2007, p. 2.

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid.

6. Ibid.

7. Lu, Jian, Vecchi, Gabriel A, Reichler Thomas, "Expansion of the

Hadley cell under global warming", Geophysical Research Letters,

Vol. 34, Issue 6, 2007.

8. Ibid.

9. British Encyclopaedia, 2008.

10. Biji Adams, Climate Change and Its Effect on Agricultural

Development (London: Penguin Press, 2003), p. 5.

11. Lisa Prososki, Global Awareness on Climate Change,

International Environmental Conservation Journal, Vol.4,

No 2. (2009).

12. Ibid.
33

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

13. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,

Status of Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol , UNFCCC

December 1997, < http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2613.php > ( 11

October 2011).

14. United States Embassy Vienna Austria, United States Policy on

the Kyoto Protocol, 9 March 2001, <http://www.usembassy.at/en/

download/pdf/kyoto.pdf> (11 October 2011).

15. IPCC (AR4) 2007, Op. Cit,.

16. MA Cunningham, WP Cunningham, Principles of Environmental

Science (New York: Mc Graw-Hill, 2009), p. 204.

17. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

(UNFCCC), (2002). Kyoto Protocol Status of Ratification Earth

Trends, pp. 1-7.

18. IPCC (AR4) 2007, Op. Cit,. p. 2.

19. E O Philip, Climate change: Perception, Adaptation and

Mitigation, Proceedings of the International Conference of the

Nigerian Meteorological Society, Climate Change Impacts: Risks and

Opportunities, p. 920.

34

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

20. H Fischer, The Sociology of disaster: definitions, research

questions and measurements, International Journal of Mass

Emergencies and Disasters, Vol.1 No 21, pp. 91-107.

21. MB Gotau, Disaster Management: The Role of Nigerian Army,

National War College Course 11 Project, Abuja, July 2003, p. 17.

22. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

(IFRCRCS), Disaster Management, 21 March, 2011,

<http://www.ifrc.org/en/whatwedo/disastermanagement/aboutdisasterswh

at-is-a-disaster/ > (21 February 2012).

23. Isa Bagudu, Disaster and Disaster Management: A Global

Pattern, (Austria: Cosmos Publications, 2009), p. 6.

24. Ibid.

25. K Jayachandran, Role of Emergency Preparedness in Industrial &

Chemical Disaster Management, Disaster, Risk and Vulnerability

Conference, India 2011, (March 2011), p. 1.

26. Ricky W Griffin, Management (New York: Houghton Mifflin

Company, 2006), p . 23.

35

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

27. KK Subedi in HM Freeman, Standard Handbook of Hazardous

Waste Treatment and Disposal, (New York: McGraw-Hill

Company 2008).

28. Ibid.

29. PF Drucker, The Age of Discontinuity: Guidelines to Our

Changing Society, (New York: Harper and Row publishers, 2003), p. 4.

30. Ibid.

31. Gomez-Mejia, Luis David B. Balkin and Robert L. Cardy,

Management: People, Performance, Change, 3rd edition (New York:

McGraw-Hill, 2008), p. 19.

32. Ibid. p. 20.

33. B Ayeni, Disaster Risk Management and National Development

Planning, a lecture delivered at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, to

the Participants of the First National Summit on Disaster Management,

Abuja, 27 January 2006.

36

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

34. Judith Winehouse, Effect of Green House Gases on Socio-

Economic Life: A Case Study of West Dublin, a paper presented to the

Girne American University, Cyprus, 23 April, 2003.

35. International Red Cross and Red Crescent Society, Effective

Disaster Management, 23 August 2009. <http://www.ircrcs.org/

disastermanagement/mp.124.> (29 February 2010).

36. OO Johnson, Disaster Management: A New Concept in

Management Studies, (Unpublished).

37. Ibid.

38. Ibid.

39. WN Carter, Disaster Management: A Disaster Managers

Handbook, (Manila: ADB, 2001), p. 23.

40. DO Olowu, Disaster Management in Nigeria, A lecture delivered

at University of Ibadan in observance of World Disaster Day on 14

October 2009, p.7.

41. IPCC, ( 2007), Op.Cit.,

42. UNFCC (2002), Op.Cit., pp. 1-7.

37

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

43. Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED)

Annual Disasters Statistics Review, CRED Brussels, (2006).

44. Ibid.

45. Food and Agriculture Organisation, Climate Change and Disaster

Risk Management, Technical Background Document from the Expert

Consultation Held on 28 to 29 February, June 2008, p. 2.

46. E Porth and Kimberley, Neutzling and Jessica Edwards,

Anthropological theories, 15 November 2010,

<http://www.as.ua.edu/ant/faculty/Murphy/function.htm > (17

November 2011).

47. Ibid.

48. Ibid.

49. PR Viotti and MV Kaupi, International Relations Theory:

Realism, Pluralism, Globalism and Beyond, (Prentice Hall, 3rd Ed

October 1998), p. 3.

38

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

50. R. Heltberg et al, Addressing human vulnerability to climate

change: Toward a no-regrets, Global Environmental Change

Journal, Vol.19, No1, (2009), pp. 88-99.

51. IPCC Definition 1, quoted in Nick Brooks, Vulnerability, risk and

adaptation: A conceptual framework Tyndall Centre for Climate

Change Research Working, Paper 38, November 2003 p. 5,

<http://tyndall.ac.uk/sites/default/files/wp38.pdf> (11 October 2011).

52. AH Rufai, The Need for a Functional Approach to Disaster

Planning And Management in Nigeria, (Unpublished paper, NIPSS

Kuru, 1995), p .2.

53. Ibid.

54. EC Onyenechere, Climate Change and Spatial Planning Concerns

in Nigeria: Remedial Measures for More Effective Response, Journal of

Human Ecology, Vol. 32, No 3 (2010), pp . 137-148.

55. Ibid.

39

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

CHAPTER 3

AN APPRAISAL OF GLOBAL WARMING RELATED DISASTER

MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA

56. Section 20 of chapter 2 of the Nigerian constitution of 2011 as

amended states that the state shall protect and improve the environment

and safe guard the water , air and land, forest and wild life of Nigeria. 1

The section delegates the protection of the people, environment and the

inhabitants against disasters to the FGN. To achieve these tasks the FGN

created some agencies and empowered existing ones with the

responsibility of performing these roles. In this chapter, global warming

related disasters in Nigeria, the roles of FGN in disaster management and

the activities of relevant FGN agencies in disaster management would be

40

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

appraised. The data collected during the field study would then be

analysed.

GLOBAL WARMING RELATED DISASTERS IN NIGERIA

57. The issue of global warming and disasters is gradually taking its

toll on developing countries around the world especially in Africa.2 The

Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC has collected good evidence to

caution that extreme weather events and climate variability will increase

the risks of natural disaster.3 The natural disasters include: floods, flash

floods and Glacier Lake Outburst Flooding, cyclones, drought, sea level

rise, coastal erosion, landslides amongst others.4 This disasters would be

felt more severely in coastal countries.5 The Chief executive of the

National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement

Agency (NESREA) stated that Nigeria has begun to feel the effects of

climate change as the frequency and intensity of extreme events like

droughts and floods have increased.6

58. The vulnerability of Nigerians to environmental hazards is a

function of several factors. These include: the level of poverty, population

growth and distribution, and the condition of human settlements and their

infrastructure. The impact of the effects of global warming resulting in

climate change and natural disasters are felt on the economic, political

41

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

and social lives of Nigerians. Nigeria is particularly vulnerable to the

impact of global warming in many fronts considering her geography,

climate, vegetation, soils, economic structure, population and settlement,

energy demands and agricultural activities. One prediction indicates that

Nigeria stands to lose up to USA $ 19 billion because of the catastrophe

while at least, 80 per cent of the inhabitants of the Niger Delta are likely

to face displacement.7 Also, the vast lands of the North are threatened by

droughts while some of the lands and inhabitants of the East and West are

threatened mostly by soil erosion and flooding respectively. Annex D is a

map of Nigeria showing flood and erosion prone areas. While annex E

shows the top 10 natural disasters in Nigeria and the affected people for

the period 1900 -2009.

59. Nigerias wide range of climatic conditions characterises the

various geo-political and climatic zones of the country. The location, size

and characteristic relief in Nigeria have also given rise to a variety of

climatic conditions. For instance the Northern parts of the country is

characterised by Sudan and Sahel savannahs while the tropical rainforest

characterises the Western and Eastern Nigeria. The population of Nigeria

that is mostly slated at 162 million 8 has great impact also on its physical

environment and climatic conditions. Some of these activities of

Nigerians include gas flaring, deforestation, emissions from cars in urban

42

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

centres which have contributed greatly to global warming. The issue of

climate change in Nigeria is therefore a major challenge to development

and poverty reduction efforts of the FGN.

60. In recent times, ocean surge, heavy rainfalls and flooding

occurrences have increased and causing widespread environmental

emergency in the country. Coastal states and even upland states like

Bauchi, Sokoto, Niger and Kwara have felt the effect of flooding.

According to Adebimpe, the situation is worsened by the degradation of

the countrys environment and natural resources.9 In the Sudano-Sahelian

states of Kano, Niger Bauchi and Sokoto, the situation is precarious due

to sparse vegetation hence, any unusually heavy rainfall results in severe

floods and soil erosion.10 In view of the enormous global warming relater

disasters witnessed in Lagos State in early 2011, the Senate President

David Mark called for a declaration of a state of emergency.11 This he said

would afford both the FGN and Lagos State Government the opportunity

to tackle the issue of disasters in Lagos State as an emergency.12

THE ROLES OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA

IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT

61. The FGN in a bid to counter the effects and occurrence of disasters

in Nigeria established the National Emergency Relief Agency (NERA).

NERA was established by Decree 48 of 1976 and charged with the task of

collecting and distributing relief materials to disaster victims. 13

43

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

Thereafter, in 1993, the FGN decided to expand the scope of NERA to

include all areas of disaster management. Furthermore in 1999, the role of

NERA was expanded and the name of the Agency was changed to

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) by the FGN via

Decree 12 1999.14

62. NEMA shall among other things carry out some roles designed to

achieve her mandate contained in the act establishing it, which is to:

a. Formulate policy on all activities relating to disaster

management in Nigeria and co-ordinate the plans and programmes

for efficient and effective response to disaster at national level.

b. Co-ordinate and promote research activities relating to

disaster management at the national level.

c. Monitor the state of preparedness of all organisations and

agencies, which may contribute to disaster management in Nigeria.

d. Collate data from relevant agencies so as to enhance

forecasting, planning and field operation of disaster management.

e. Educate and inform the public on disaster prevention and

control measures.

44

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

f. Coordinate the activities of other stakeholders in Disaster

Management.

g. Co-ordinate and facilitate the provision of necessary

resources for search and rescue and other types of disaster

curtailment activities in response to distress call.15

PERFORMANCE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA IN

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

63. To achieve a safer environment for her citizenry and reduce the

effects of global warming and climate change, the FGN is a signatory to

the Kyoto Protocol of 1994 and adopted UNFCCC in 1992.16 The FGN

established a Mission Control Centre (MCC) for NEMA in Abuja to

house the COSPAS-SARSAT system which Nigeria is an associated user

state.17 The COSPAS-SARSAT system is a satellite based equipment that

provides distress alert and location information for SAR services for

maritime, aviation and land users in distress. The location of emergency

signals from boats, aircraft and individuals.18 It equally established

Geographic Information System (GIS) which is used for collating,

storing, analysing and displaying disaster data promptly for efficient

management of disaster at all phases.19

45

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

64. The National Disaster Management Framework (NDMF) was

developed by NEMA and provides the mechanism that serves as a

regulatory guideline for effective and efficient disaster management in

Nigeria.20 The framework defines measurable, flexible and adaptable

coordinating structures, and aligns key roles and responsibilities of

disaster management stakeholders across the nation.21 The National

Disaster Response Plan (NDRP) on the other hand was developed by

NEMA and approved by FGN in November 2002.22

65. The NDRP establishes a process and structure for the systematic,

coordination, and effective delivery of Federal assistance to address the

consequences of any major disaster or emergency.23 The organisational

structure of NEMA allows it to process the request for disaster assistance

from a state government and to appoint a Federal Coordinating Officer

(FCO) on approval of such a request.

66. The NDRP groups the forms of direct FGN assistance that a State

is most likely to require under 13 Support Service Areas (SSAs). 24 Annex

F shows the responsibilities of Nigerian armed forces SSAs . The

assistant include the transportation, communication, public works and

emergency, fire fighting and information planning, military support,

among others. The State and Local Governments shall build the capacity

46

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

of their emergency management institution to prepare for, prevent

against, respond to and recover from disaster events.

OTHER FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES INVOLVED IN

DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA

67. Though management of disaster is legally vested in NEMA, there

are other agencies empowered constitutionally to support the efforts of

NEMA. They include National Security and Civil Defence Corps

(NSCDC), Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Nigeria Police (NP),

Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), Federal Fire Service

and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Nigeria Air Space Development Agency (NASDRA), Nigerian

Metrological Agency (NIMET), National Institute for Oceanography and

Marine Research (NIOMAR) and the Nigerian Armed Forces amongst

others provide assistance during emergencies and disasters. The agencies

are organised under the SSAs and the Military under Disaster Response

Units (DRUs).25 The DRUs are tasked to respond to disasters occurring

within their Area of Responsibility (AORs), The Roles and location of

DRUs in Nigeria is at annex G.

DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION

68. During the study, 150 questionnaires were distributed to

respondents in Lagos State and Kaduna State in order to seek the opinions
47

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

of Nigerians on the subject matter. The population sample was randomly

selected but only 98 representing 65.33 per cent of the intended samples

were available to analysis. This approach provided an insight and

facilitated the research. The descriptive statistical research approach also

enabled the researcher to make necessary deductions from the data

collected. The sample catered for people of various level of educational

qualification including SSCE, BSc, Msc/Phd, and respective equivalents.

TABLE 3.1: SHOWING THE DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION

SAMPLE

Serial Location of Number of Percentage Remark

Respondent Respondents
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
1. Lagos State 32 32.7
2. Kaduna State 65 66.3
3. Total 98 100

Source: Field Survey by Researcher, 2012.

FIGURE 3.1: PIE CHART SHOWING THE DISTRIBUTION OF

POPULATION SAMPLE

48

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

69. The distribution of the sample population shows selection from the

Northern and Southern part of Nigeria. Considering that Global warming

related disasters occur in both parts, it shows that the sample population

have a firsthand experience and could adequately input on the subject

matter. This helps the study in achieving a balanced view on regional

distribution of respondents.

TABLE 3.2: SHOWING THE EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

OF RESPONDENTS

Educational Number of
Serial Percentage Remark
Qualification Respondents
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
1. SSCE 29 29.6
2. Bsc 37 37.8
3. Msc/Phd 32 32.6
4. Total 98 100

Source: Field Survey by Researcher, 2012.

FIGURE 3.2: PIE CHART SHOWING THE EDUCATIONAL

QUALIFICATION OF RESPONDENTS

49

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

70. Table 3.2 and Figure 3.2 above indicate that 30 per cent of

respondents are SSCE holders and 38 per cent are Secondary School

leavers and 32 per cent are Msc/Phd holders. This indicates that a greater

percentage of the respondents are learned enough to understand the

questions asked and make important contributions to the research work.

TABLE 3.3: RESPONDENTS VIEW ON AWARENESS ON THE

TERM GLOBAL WARMING

Serial Response Frequency Percentage Remark

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
1. Aware 47 48.0
2. Partially Aware 39 39.8
3. Not Aware 12 12.2
4. Total 98 100

Source: Field Survey by Researcher, 2012.

FIGURE 3.3: VIEWS ON THE AWARENESS ON THE TERM

GLOBAL WARMING AWARENESS

50

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

71. Table 3.3 and Figure 3.3 shows that 48 per cent of respondents

indicate that they are aware of the term global warming. On the other

hand, 40 per cent indicated that they are partially aware of the term

global warming. While 12 per cent indicate that they are not aware of

the term global warming. This indicates that a considerable number of

respondents are aware of the term global warming. This portends well

for the research study as respondents can contribute to the research topic

and analysis.

72. It is however worthy of note that a number of people are yet to

understand the implications of global warming to human existence, which

gives a reason for concern. This true to the fact that the level of ignorance

of people on the issue of global warming has also contributed to the

continuous activities that is detrimental to the atmosphere or ozone layer.

It is therefore expedient that the government as well as non-governmental

organisations take into cognisance the enlightenment of the populace on

the issue of global warming and climate change.

TABLE 3.4: DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS VIEW ON

HOW TRUE THE GLOBAL WARMING HAS AFFECTED
CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF NIGERIAS IN RECENT TIMES

Serial Response Frequency Percentage Remark

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
1. Adversely 30 30.6
2. Fairly 40 40.8
51

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

3. Not at all 28 28.6

4. Total 98 100

Source: Field Survey by Researcher, 2012.

FIGURE 3.4: SHOWING THE RESPONDENTS VIEWS ON THE

LEVEL GLOBAL WARMING HAS AFFECTED NIGERIAS
CLIMATIC CONDITIONS IN RECENT TIMES

73. Table 3.4 and Figure 3.4 shows that 30 per cent of respondents

indicated that global warming has adversely affected Nigerias climatic

conditions in recent times. It also indicates that 44.4 per cent of the

respondents indicated that global warming has fairly affected Nigerias

climatic conditions. While 28 per cent indicated that global warming has

not affected Nigerias climatic conditions in any way. The argument of

those that indicated that global warming has adversely affected Nigerias

climatic conditions is based on the fact that in recent times the amount of

rainfall recorded in the country has drastically increased. This has

therefore led to the increase in flooding around the country. Some also

noted that the evidence in Lagos is glaring. They cited the various
52

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

flooding cases like the Sokoto flooding, as well as the as increasing ocean

surge in Lagos. They also indicated the increasing temperatures of Lagos

and Kaduna States.

74. The various flood disasters also witnessed in the northern part of

Nigeria is also an issue of concern. This is coupled with the drought and

desertification challenges in some areas in the North. Most of the

activities of NEMA has been centered upon search and rescue especially

on disaster that are sudden and calamitous in nature. There is however the

need for NEMA to embark upon adequate Research and Development

(R&D) ventures to cater for such natural disasters occasioned by effect of

global warming as desertification and drought especially in the North.

Such approaches could include research on vegetation building plan,

which may include the sorting out of variety trees and plants that can

develop into vegetations in the North. There is also the need for the FGN

to support the agency with adequate funding to meet up such plans.

TABLE 3.5: RESPONDENTS VIEWS ON WHETHER GLOBAL

WARMING HAS BEEN THE CAUSE OF ALL THE NATURAL
DISASTER CHALLENGES OF NIGERIA IN RECENT TIMES

Serial Response Frequency Percentage Remark

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
1. Yes 40 40.8
2. Fairly 32 32.6
3. No 26 26.5
4. Total 98 100

53

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

Source: Field Survey by Researcher, 2012.

FIGURE 3.5: CHART SHOWING RESPONDENTS VIEW ON

WHETHER GLOBAL WARMING IS THE CAUSE OF NATURAL
DISASTER IN NIGERIA

75. Table 3.5 and Figure 3.5 above shows that 40.8 per cent of

respondents ticked yes that global warming has been the cause of all

natural disaster challenges in Nigeria in recent times. On the other

hand, 32.6 per cent of respondents indicated that global warming has

fairly been the cause of the natural disasters witnessed in Nigeria in

recent times. While 26.5 per cent indicated that global warming has not

been the cause of the various natural disasters witnessed in Nigeria in

recent times.

76. In line with the analysis above, Onibokun highlighted that Lagos

state has seen greater rainfall and on 13 February 2012 experienced very

heavy wind which caused lots of damage to public and private property.26

54

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

He further highlighted that as the impacts of global warming and climatic

change conditions continues to reverberate in the forms of rising

temperatures and sea levels; it leaves behind its trail disasters in the forms

of floods, desertification and other environmental degradation.27 Sidi

noted recently that the increasing exposure of communities to disasters

including floods is caused by global climate change.28 This he said

requires collective efforts to address their negative impacts by all the

three tiers of government and the communities.29 Thus, identifying the

problem is important in devising ways to tackle its fallouts.

TABLE 3.6: DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS VIEW ON THE

LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE OF THE FGN AND ITS AGENCIES

Serial Response Frequency Percentage Remark

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
1. Excellent 2 2
2. Very Good 3 3
3. Good 12 12
4. Fair 55 56
5. Poor 26 27
6. Total 98 100

Source: Field Survey by Researcher, 2012.

55

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

FIGURE 3.6: PIE CHART SHOWING THE DISTRIBUTION OF

RESPONDENTS VIEW ON THE LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE
OF THE FGN AND ITS AGENCIES

77. Table 3.6 and Figure 3.6 above shows that 2 per cent of

respondents rated the FGN/NEMA excellent, while 3 per cent rated the

FGN/NEMA very good. On the other hand, 12 per cent of respondents

rated the FGN/NEMA good while 56 per cent rated the FGN/NEMA fair

and 27 per cent rated FGN/NEMA poor. This is indicative of respondents

view on the performance of FGN/NEMA in the management of disasters

so far. It therefore means that the FGN/NEMA have performed below

average in the management of disasters in Nigeria. According to Silas,

this is mostly noticed, in the agencies response time to such disasters. 30

Although there have been an improvement in response time in recent

times, there is the need to reduce the response time to about 15

56

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

minutes. This could be achieved through provision of adequate facilities

and equipment. This may include vehicles, helicopters, and vessels. There

is also the need to acquire more modern communication equipment and

embark upon the continuous training of personnel of NEMA and other

contributory agencies to NEMA.

CHALLENGES MILITATING AGAINST THE FEDERAL

GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT

78. There are many challenges bedeviling the effort of the FGN in

disaster management. Some of these challenges include the inadequate

funding, lack of general awareness on global warming, size and diversity

of Nigeria. Others include inadequate equipment and facilities, ineffective

coordination of disaster management efforts, inadequate trained

manpower and poverty.

INADEQUATE FUNDING

79. The issue of inadequate financial support is not peculiar to the

disaster management in Nigeria. However, it is a more militating factor in

that the lesser the financial commitment of government to the prevailing

problem, the more the cost of managing it increases in future. This is due

to the continuous deteriorating effects of not managing disasters in time.

Some of the financial challenges of disaster management in Nigeria is

57

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

mostly witnessed at the state and local levels of government. This

however is not peculiar to the state level but also felt in the Federal level

especially in view of the funding of NEMA.

80. According to Fagbemi, the Assistant Director for risk reduction, the

amount allocated to risk reduction is insufficient to meet the demand of

disaster risk reduction.31 Insufficient funding has negative impact on

NEMAs ability to implement risk reducing strategies. For example,

inadequate funding is one the reasons why NEMA has implemented

Vulnerability and Capability Analysis (VCA) in 21 out of 774 Local

Government Areas.32 According to Fagbemi, the lack of fund is also the

reason why many risk reduction publications that were produced by

emergency management agencies have not been translated into local

languages.33 The lack of adequate funding of the emergency agencies has

also been attributed to the attitude of government to disaster and

emergency management in the country. In other words, it has not been the

priority of the various level of government.

LACK OF GENERAL AWARENESS ON GLOBAL WARMING

81. The study on global warming tries to simply explain what we do

that result in the depleting of the ozone layer where the resultant effect

becomes climate change and then natural disasters. The need to

58

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

understand global warming is expedient in trying to curb its resultant

effect. Solving of the problem of climate change and disasters in Nigeria

is a collective one regardless of the role of NEMA and other agencies to

manage disasters in Nigeria.

82. However, more people still do not know much about the term

global warming, climate change and disaster management. The level of

preparedness of the Federal, State and Local government also shows the

state of awareness of the impact of global warming and its resultant effect

on socio-economic development of Nigeria. Hence, FGN gives disaster

management a low priority state in the country. In view of this, NEMA

and NGOs both internationally and locally needs to embark on the proper

education of government as well as the public in effects of global

warming and disasters associated to it.

SIZE AND DIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

83. Nigeria is a large country in land mass and population. The country

is not only divided on political, religious or on ethnic grounds but also on

occupational, climatic and topographic grounds among others. This is a

challenge to the FGN and other disaster management bodies in carrying

out their as the need to cover the whole country becomes expedient. The

59

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

capacity therefore to embark upon creating general awareness on the

menace of global warming becomes difficult.

84. The capacity for the various disaster management agencies to cover

the entire country is also difficult. This challenge is most evident in the

response time to disasters in the country by the agencies due distance to

cover. In view of this, the FGN needs to inculcate the education of

disaster management in schools: primary and secondary. There is also the

need for the FGN to expedite the action of the remaining states yet to

establish the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to do so.

This is expected to bring closer to the people the benefits of proper

disaster management.

INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

85. Another prevailing issue of disaster management in Nigeria is the

dearth of equipment and facilities by the various disaster management

bodies in Nigeria. NEMA procured 2 Mi 17 SAR helicopters, which are

being operated by Nigerian Air Force pilots and technicians. This is

grossly inadequate to cover the territory of Nigeria. This is same for other

agencies associated with disaster management. The act of disaster

management requires the use of equipment and facilities depending on

the terrain the disaster occurs. Some of these equipment, platforms and

60

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

facilities include Search and Rescue Helicopters, ambulances, speed boats

and vessels,

86. However, one of the arguments of the local and state government

to such disaster crises according to Adebiyi, is the fact that they do not

have the financial muscle to tackle such emergencies. 34 In view of this,

there is the need for the FGN to establish a disaster fund that will cater

for the allocations to the local and state government on disaster issues.

This would at least cover the area of mitigation and amelioration aspect

of disaster management before the full intervention of the federal

government.

INEFFECTIVE COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION OF

DISASTER MANAGEMENT EFFORTS

87. Part of the problems associated to disaster management in Nigeria

is in the area of the ineffective coordination, collaboration and over-

centralisation of disaster management efforts. In other words, the various

disaster management approaches of the FGN and its agencies is not

properly coordinated to achieve quick and effective response to disasters.

Sometimes the various agencies have conflicts of information and do not

have specified roles in which they are guided in such operations as

disaster management. They all eventually carry out almost the same role,

which may lead to unspecialised roles of the various agencies.

61

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

88. Sometime as a result of the duplication of roles lapses occur in the

process. For example when both the Fire Service and the Military

perform the roles of prevention of spread of fire, who then performs the

role of evacuation. Thus, lack of well-coordinated information

management system and standard operational procedure to deal with

disaster occurrences is a challenge.

INADEQUATE TRAINED MANPOWER

89. The role of disaster management in a country as large as Nigeria

would require a considerable amount of manpower to cover the whole

country. This however is not the case in Nigeria as the various agencies

are in short of both skilled and unskilled manpower to cover the entire

country. According to the Director General of NEMA, the agency as at 1

Jan 12 only had 300 staff to cover the entire country.35 This however is

grossly inadequate for a country like Nigeria with 36 states and 774 local

government areas. 36

90. Although they are other supportive agencies and institutions like

the NIMASA and the Military, these groups are specialised and only play

supportive roles in the cases of disaster management. There is however

the need for the FGN to embark upon expanding the manpower capacity

of the NEMA. This could be by taking advantage of the various graduates

62

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

in masters in disaster management currently being produced by tertiary

institutions like ABU, Zaria.

POVERTY

91. The level of poverty in Nigeria especially amongst the areas and

societies that are mostly prone to disasters is another challenge to disaster

management in Nigeria. More than 70 per cent of Nigerians live below

the poverty line.37 Some of the challenges poverty brings in these areas

are mostly noticed in the low level of infrastructural development, low

level of awareness on disaster management and low level education and

employability of the people in the area.

92. This poor state of these people does not portend well for proper

disaster management and Nigeria. Poverty in itself has been a major

contributory factor to the level of disasters witnessed in the country. This

range from poverty induced terrorist attacks, poor waste management,

over grazing and deforestation amongst others. In order to curb this

challenge the FGN needs to embark on the infrastructural development of

the areas prone to disasters. There is the need to improve the level of

education in these areas.

63

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

PROSPECTS OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA

93. In spite of the enormous challenges bedeviling the country on

disaster management in Nigeria, there are some prospects which are

worthy of note in this study. This would not only be source of

encouragement but also a platform for the enhancing of the FGNs quest

for proper and effective disaster management. Some of the prospects are

noticed in the Nigerian Space Development Programme, Higher Degree

Educational qualification in disaster management in some tertiary

institutions and the numerous and willing stakeholders including

NASDRA, Armed Forces, NIMASA and NGOs.

94. The space development Programme of Nigeria is a way in

enhancing the capacity of NEMA and emergency management bodies in

the effective management of disasters in Nigeria. The various satellite

initiatives by the FGN including NigeriaSAT-1 and NIGERCOMSAT

make available satellite images, communications and meteorological

application to disaster management. In developed countries, the satellites

have played important roles in early disaster warning as well as

evacuation. This is mostly seen in the aspect of the direction, position and

magnitude of disasters. Hence, the government, its agencies and NGOs

are able to warn, direct and relocate humans and properties based on the

threat of disasters.
64

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

95. The uses of satellites in disaster management are becoming integral

to reducing reaction time and providing accurate information to rescue

and disaster control operations. Satellites are used in disasters for

communications, remote sensing and mapping. Meteorological and storm

warning satellite technology can help with predicting disasters and setting

up precautionary activities. Satellites also provide communication for that

could facilitate easier communication amongst agencies.

96. The various willing institutions and agencies both governmental

and non-governmental are an enormous prospect for Nigeria in disaster

management. The effective mobilisation of these agencies and institution

would give Nigeria ample manpower and infrastructural support to the

issue of disaster management in Nigeria. There are at present some

tertiary institutions offering master degree programmes in disaster

management. This portends well for disaster management in Nigeria

especially based on the availability of manpower development and

capacity.

65

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

NOTES

. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2011 as

amended.

2. AO Folami, OO Karimu, Climate Change and Cross Border

Crime in Nigeria, Being a Paper Presented at the 250th Anniversary

Conference Organised for The Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and

Letters on Climate Change and Security in Trondhiem, Norway, 21-24

June 2010, p. 1.

3. International Panel on Climate Change (AR4) 2007 report.

4. A Orebiyi, Nigerian Red Cross society 2001, Central Council

Report, Nigerian Red Cross, Lagos, 2002, p .4

5. Ibid.

6. Success Nwogu, NESREA Raises Alarm over Environmental

Degradation, Punch Nigeria (Lagos), 19 February 2012, p. 13.

7. D Ihedioha, quoted in RU Adebimpe, Climate change Related

Disasters and Vulnerability: An Appraisal of the Nigerian Policy

Environment, Environmental Research Journal ,Vol. 5, No 3,( 2011),

p. 97.
8. Gbola Subair, Nigerias population too large for comfort NPC,

Nigerian Tribune, 12 July 2011,

<http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/24903--nigerias-population-too-

large-for-comfort-npc > (11 October 2012)

66

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

9. RU Adebimpe, Climate Change Related Disasters and

Vulnerability: An Appraisal of the Nigerian Policy Environment,

Environmental Research Journal, 2011, Vol. 5, Issue 3, pp. 97-103.

10. F Olorunfemi, A. Gbadegesin and U. Raheem, Climate change,

urban vulnerability and disasters: A preliminary analysis of selected

Nigerian cities, Institute Of Physics Conference Series: Earth

Environmental Sciences, Vol. 6, Session 56, (2009).

11 Ovada Ohiare, Lagos Flood: Nigerian Senate Seeks Declaration

of State of Emergency in Disaster Areas, African Outlook African

Outlook online, 14 July 2011, <http://www.africanoutlookonline.com/

index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2277%3Alagos-flood-

nigerian-senate-seeks-declaration-of-state-of-emergency-in-disaster-

areas&Itemid=46 > (11 October 2011).

12. Ibid.

13. Benjamin O Oghenah, National Emergency Management Agency:

Past, Present & Future, a lecture delivered to students of Senior

Course 34 Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, 28 March

2012, p . 17.

14. Ibid. pp. 23-24.

67

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

15. National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National

Disaster Management Framework (NDMF), 2001, pp. 10-11.

16. Federal Ministry of Environment, SERVICOM Charter, 2005,

pp. 7-8.

17. Yushau A. Shuaib, NEMA and Challenges of Managing Disasters

in Nigeria, Nigerian Village Square, 07 April 2009, <

http://www.nigeriavillagesquare. com/articles/yushau-shuaib/nema-and-

challenges-of-managing-disasters-in-nigeria.html > (11 October 2011).

18 Ibid.

19. Ibid.

20. NEMA , NDMF Op.Cit., p . 1.

21. Ibid.
22. National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National

Disaster Response Plan (NDRP), 2002, p. 1.

23. Ibid.

24. Ibid, p. 17.

25. Ibid.

26. Adedunmade Onibokun, Global Warming and Nigeria,

Information Nigeria in Home, February 14, 2012,

<http://www.informationnigeria.org/2012/02/global-warming-and-

nigeria.html> (22 Mar 12).

68

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

27. Ibid.

28. Sani Sidi, quoted in Shehu Mohammed, Nigeria: NEMAs

Performance in Recent Times, Daily Trust, (Kaduna), 16

September 2011.

29. Ibid.

30. IB Silas, Disaster Management in Nigeria: A Case Study of

Ibadan Disaster Floods, University of Ibadan MSc Research ,

March, 2006.

31. K Fagbemi, Nigeria: National Progress Report on the

Implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action, (2009-2011)

Prevention Web, 2011,

32. Ibid.

33. Ibid.

34. Olawusi Adebiyi, Chief of Ikorodu, Interviewed on disaster

management in Ikorodu town on 17 December 2011 at Ikorodu town,

Lagos State.

35. Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Nigeria: Disaster management, what can

NEMA offer? Thisday Newspapers (Abuja) 2 January 2009, p. 34.

36. Ibid.

69

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

37. F Onuoha, Why the Poor Pay with their Lives: Oil Pipelein

Vandalisation, Fires and Human Security in Nigeria, Disaster Journal

Vol. 33 No. 3 (2009), pp. 369-389.

CHAPTER 4

STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING THE CAPACITY OF THE

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA IN DISASTER
MANAGEMENT

97. The previous chapter dealt on the analysis of the roles and

performance of FGN in disaster management, its challenges and

prospects. This chapter articulate strategies towards improving the

capacity of the FGN in disaster management.

STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT

IN NIGERIA

98. The strategies for enhancing disaster management in Nigeria

include adequate funding, increased public awareness, integrating disaster

management in school curriculum and improved equipment and facilities

of NEMA and other agencies. Improved coordination and collaboration of

Disaster Management Efforts, increased trained manpower, and proper

70

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

implementation of poverty alleviation programs and FGNs collaboration

with developed countries

ADEQUATE FUNDING

99. Even though disasters are unpredictable, they often catch

communities unawares. Governments at all levels meanwhile find it

difficult to set aside scare funds for the emergencies. To reduce the

financial burden, the various levels of government could set apart a

percentage of the ecological fund disaster management. Also, the

legislatures could make provision for supplementary budgets for disaster

management.

INCREASED PUBLIC AWARENESS

100. The need for increased public awareness in disaster management

cannot be overemphasised. The management of disaster would be futile if

the people do not know what the FGN is trying to do. Due to ignorance,

the same people could be a sabotaging force to FGNs efforts in global

warming related disaster management. In other words, there is the need to

adequately educate the public on what constitutes global warming, its

resultant effects and the need to manage them. In view of this the FGN

and NEMA as well as other agencies responsible for disaster management

needs to take advantage of the various television and radio programmes.

There is also the need for the FGN with private partnership initiative to

71

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

embark upon public campaign and public rallies to enhance the capacity

in the country.

INTEGRATING DISASTER MANAGEMENT INTO

CURRICULUM OF SCHOOLS

101. In order to build the capacity of children who are mostly victims

of disasters, there is the need to educate them on disaster management.

This could be achieved by integrating disaster management into their

curriculum in primary and or secondary schools. Such educational

process would require the provision of educational materials and practical

laboratories on disaster management. This would not only give these

children the intellectual capacity to help themselves and the society in

disaster management, they could also take up disaster management as a

career in future.
IMPROVED EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES CAPACITY
102. Effective and proper disaster management is mostly facilitated by

the availability of equipment and facilities for disaster management.

Some of these equipment and facilities are used in different stages of

disaster management, from prevention to mitigation to evacuation and

provision of succor. The various agencies and institutions in disaster

management in Nigeria including NEMA, the Nigerian Armed Forces,

72

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

the NP, etc lack adequate equipment and facilities to operate effectively.

This often results to improvisation of materials and equipment which

would not yield effective results. Some of these equipment and facilities

include rescue helicopters, firefighting trucks, cranes, divers outfits,

telecommunications equipment, maneuverable marine vessels,

ambulances
.
IMPROVED COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION OF
DISASTER MANAGEMENT EFFORTS

103. Disasters do not give warning, hence there is the need for prompt

and quick response to such disasters. A central command in charge of

coordination of all the agencies and institutions would enable a prompt

response to disasters through a proper and quick coordination plan. The

registration of non-governmental organisations, faith based organisations,

and community based organisations interested in disaster management

would provide a pool of voluntary disaster managers. There is therefore

the need to leverage the resources-personnel, finance, time, expertise of

these originations to reduce disasters risks. Also stating clearly the roles

and objectives of these agencies and institutions in case of any form of

disaster is imperative.

INCREASED TRAINED MANPOWER

104. Training is essential in for everybody involved in disaster

management most especially the staff of NEMA and other associated

73

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

agencies. The staffs of NEMA need to be increased to disaster

management needs due to Nigerias population and land mass.. Essential

training for both NEMA staff and the military DRUs is essential. This

would be required when dealing with complicated situations. Due to their

background and presence in the 3 levels of the environment the military

need to include disaster management in their training.

IMPLEMENTATION OF POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAM

105. The FGNs poverty alleviation program is a way of improving the

lives of Nigerians. This encompasses the provision of good education,

infrastructures, employment and healthcare. As mentioned earlier the

disaster prone areas are mostly inhabited by poor people and those living

in the villages where there are little or no basic amenities. Hence, when

disaster strikes, they suffer more. However, the poverty alleviation

programme of the FGN and states needs to be concentrated in these areas

to ameliorate their level of suffering as management of disasters

continues in around these areas. The advancement in the educational,

social and political lives of these people will go a long way in helping to

check the extent of damage of such disasters.

74

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

FGN COLLABORATION WITH DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

106. The FGN as a way of enhancing its capacity in disaster

management needs to collaborate more with some developed countries of

the world. These countries include Japan, Britain, and the USA that are

experienced, have developed technology, skilled manpower, better

management techniques in disaster management. The collaboration with

these countries would bring about transfer of technology, training for

Nigerians, and maybe international funding for disaster management.

There could also be an exchange of ideas to enhance the techniques used

in disaster management.

CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
CONCLUSION
107. This study appraised global warming and disaster management in

Nigeria from 1997 to 2011. The study examined the relationship between

global warming and disaster management. The reviewed literature

revealed that the activities of man have been responsible for the cause of

75

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

global warming in the World today. Some of these activities include

combustion of fossil fuels and land use changes. The resultant effect of

these activities have created enormous impact on the climate leading to

unusual natural occurrences such as rising sea levels, increased storm and

flood frequency, the spread of infectious diseases, declines in biodiversity

and reduced availability of food and water among others. As a result of

this and the impending dangers in which some scientist have come to an

agreement on, various disaster management strategies have been adopted

by governments.

108. The study found out that global warming leads to climate change

and this climatic conditions result in disasters. In view of these inherent

challenges of global warming and the resultant disasters in Nigeria, which

include desertification, flooding and ocean surge. The FGN a custodian of

safety of the people and environment of Nigeria has come up with

measures to curb this disasters. One of such measures is the establishment

of NEMA which is saddled with the responsibility of disaster

management in Nigeria. Disaster management in line with NEMAs

duties includes the ensuring awareness, prevention, mitigation against

disasters as well as SAR and evacuation. NEMA however does not work

alone. It collaborates with other agencies like the Nigerian Armed Forces,

Fire Service, NP, NIMASA just to mention a few. These agencies and

76

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

institutions provide active and supportive roles to NEMA in disaster

management especially in their area of specialisation. The performance of

the FGN and its disaster management agencies like NEMA has however

been rated low.

109. The inability of the FGN and its agencies like NEMA to effectively

manage disasters in Nigeria is due to some challenges identified to be

militating against it. Some of these challenges include inadequate

funding, lack of general awareness on global warming and climate

change, the size and diversity of the country and inadequate equipment,

platforms and facilities. Other challenges to FGN and NEMA include

low-level preparedness at government tiers, ineffective coordination of

disaster management efforts, inadequate manpower and poverty. In view

of this there is the need for the various state governments to set aside at

least 30 per cent of their ecological fund for disaster management.

Nevertheless, in view of the many prospects of the disaster management

in Nigeria, there is a light in the tunnel. Some of the prospects include the

Nigerian Space Development Programme, Higher Degree Educational

qualification in disaster management in some tertiary institutions and the

numerous and willing stakeholders including NASDRA, Armed Forces,

NMA and NGOs.

77

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

110. In view of the enormous challenges militating against the

effectiveness of disaster management in Nigeria, there is the need to

adopt some strategies, which would improve upon disaster management

in Nigeria. Some of these strategies include Some of these strategies

include increased public awareness, FGN collaboration with developed

countries like Japan, USA, Britain and Israel, proper implementation of

the poverty alleviation programs and integrating disaster management in

the curriculum of primary and secondary schools. Other strategies include

NEMA collaborating with other important and relevant stakeholders and

strengthen ties with existing ones and strengthening the equipment and

facilities capacity of NEMA and other agencies and institutions in

disaster management.

111. In order to elaborate on these strategies there is the need for the

FGN with private partnership initiative to embark upon public campaign

and public rallies to enhance the capacity in the country. There is the need

that the various state governments set aside 30 per cent of their ecological

funds for disaster management. There is also the need for a central

command for the various operating agencies, institutions and private

collaborators in disaster management. As a way of enhancing the

equipment and facilities capacity for disaster management in Nigeria,

there is the need for the FGN to acquire more evacuation helicopters for

78

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

each state of the federation as well as ambulances. There is the need that

each of the disaster management zones in Nigeria to have a helicopter

attached to it.
RECOMMENDATIONS
112. It is recommended that:
a. State governments should set aside at least 30 per cent of

their ecological fund for disaster management.

b. FGN should establish a central command for the proper

coordination of all the agencies, institutions and private partners.

c. Federal Ministry of Education should integrate the of study

disaster management into the curriculum of both primary and

secondary schools.

d. FGN should collaborate with developed and experienced

countries in disaster management

e. FGN should acquire a helicopter each for each of the 6 zones

of NEMA.

OB ANIMASAHUN
Jaji Lt Cdr
Apr 12 Student

Annexes:

A. Research Questionnaire.

B. Figure 1.1: Schematic View of the Components of the Global

Climate System.

79

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

C. Figure 2.4: Schematic Presentation of Asset-Based Approach by

Heltberg Et Al.

D. Map of Nigeria Showing Flood and Erosion Prone Areas.

E. Top 10 Natural Disasters in Nigeria and the Affected People for the

Period 1900 -2009.

F. Responsibilities of Nigerian Armed Forces SSAs.

G. Roles and Location of DRUs in Nigeria.

80

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOOKS

Adams Biji, Climate Change and Its Effect on Agricultural

Development (London: Penguin Press, 2003).

Bagudu Isa, Disaster and Disaster Management: A Global Pattern,

(Austria: Cosmos Publications, 2009).

British Encyclopaedia, 2008.

Carter WN, Disaster Management: A Disaster Managers Handbook,

(Manila: ADB, 2001).

Christopherson AW, Elemental Geosystems, (New Jersey: Pearson

Prentice Hall, 2009).

Cunningham MA, Cunningham WP, Principles of Environmental

Science (New York: Mc Graw-Hill, 2009).

81

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

Dessler AE, Parson EA, The Science and Politics of Global Climate

Change: A Guide to the Debate, (Cambridge: Cambridge University

Press, 2006).

Drucker PF, The Age of Discontinuity: Guidelines To Our Changing

Society, (New York: Harper and Row publishers, 2003),

Gomez-Mejia, Luis David B. Balkin and Robert L. Cardy, Management:

People, Performance, Change, 3rd edition. (New York, New York USA:

McGraw-Hill, 2008),

Griffin RW, Management (New York: Houghton Mifflin Company,

2006).

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, The Scientific Basis, (New

York: Cambridge University Press 2001),

Stoke PA, Human and Natural Forces, (Atlanta: Amy White, 2005).

Subedi KK in HM Freeman, Standard Handbook of Hazardous Waste

Treatment and Disposal, (New York: McGraw-Hill Company 2008).

Viotti PR, Kaupi MV, International Relations Theory: Realism,

Pluralism, Globalism and Beyond, (Prentice Hall, 3rd Ed October

1998).
82

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

PERIODICALS./JOURNALS

Adebimpe RU, Climate Change Related Disasters and Vulnerability: An

Appraisal of the Nigerian Policy Environment, Environmental Research

Journal, 2011, Vol. 5, Issue 3.

Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) Annual

Disasters Statistics Review, CRED Brussels, (2006).

Crowley TJ, Causes of Climate Changes over the past 1000 years

Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol.106, No. D23, 289 (2010).

Fischer H, The Sociology of disaster: definitions, research questions and

measurements, International Journal of Mass Emergencies and

Disasters, Vol.1 No 21.

Food and Agriculture Organisation, Climate Change and Disaster Risk

Management, Technical Background Document from the Expert

Consultation Held on 28 TO 29 February, June 2008.

83

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

Heltberg R. et al, Addressing human vulnerability to climate change:

Toward a no-regrets, Global Environmental Change Journal,

Vol.19, No1, (2009).

Ihedioha D , quoted in Adebimpe RU , Climate change Related Disasters

and Vulnerability: An Appraisal of the Nigerian Policy Environment,

Environmental Research Journal ,Vol. 5, No 3,( 2011).

Jayachandran K, Role of Emergency Preparedness in Industrial &

Chemical Disaster Management, Disaster, Risk and Vulnerability

Conference, India 2011, (March 2011),

Jian Lu,; Vecchi, Gabriel A.; Reichler, Thomas "Expansion of the

Hadley cell under global warming", Geophysical Research Letters,

Vol.34, Issue 6, 2007.

Nwagbara MO, Ijioma MA, Chima GN , Climate Change and Flooding

in Northern Nigeria: An Examination of Rainfall Trends Over the

Region, Conference Proceedings: Climate Change and the Nigerian

Environment. (Lagos: Longman, 2009).

Olorunfemi F, Gbadegesin A and Raheem U , Climate change, urban

vulnerability and disasters: A preliminary analysis of selected Nigerian

84

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

cities, Institute Of Physics Conference Series: Earth Environmental

Sciences, Vol. 6, Session 56, (2009).

Onuoha F, Why the Poor Pay with their Lives: Oil Pipelein

Vandalisation, Fires and Human Security in Nigeria, Disaster Journal

Vol. 33 No. 3 (2009).

Onyenechere EC, Climate Change and Spatial Planning Concerns in

Nigeria: Remedial Measures for More Effective Response, Journal of

Human Ecology, Vol. 32, No 3 (2010).

Philip E O, Climate change: Perception, Adaptation and Mitigation,

Proceedings of the International Conference of the Nigerian

Meteorological Society, Climate Change Impacts: Risks and

Opportunities.

Prososki Lisa, Global Awareness on Climate Change, International

Environmental Conservation Journal, Vol.4, No 2, (2009).

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),

(2002). Kyoto Protocol Status of Ratification Earth Trends.

OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS

Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) Annual

Disasters Statistics Review, CRED Brussels, (2006).

85

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

Federal Ministry of Environment, SERVICOM Charter, 2005.

Fagbemi K, Nigeria: National Progress Report on the Implementation of

the Hyogo Framework for Action, (2009-2011) Prevention Web, 2011.

Food and Agriculture Organisation, Climate Change and Disaster Risk

Management, Technical Background Document from the Expert

Consultation Held on 28 to 29 February, June 2008.

IPCC, Climate Change: The Physical Science Basis, Fourth

Assessment Report (AR4), 2007.

Mohr Noam, A New Global Warming Strategy How Environmentalists

are Overlooking Vegetarianism as the Most Effective Tool Against

Climate Change in Our Lifetimes, An Earth Save International

Report, August 2005.

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Disaster

Management Framework (NDMF), 2001.

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Disaster

Response Plan (NDRP), 2002.

Orebiyi A , Nigerian Red Cross society 2001, Central Council Report,

Nigerian Red Cross, Lagos, 2002.

86

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2011 as

amended.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),

(2002). Kyoto Protocol Status of Ratification Earth Trends.

UNPUBLISHED MATERIALS

Ayeni B, Disaster Risk Management and National Development

Planning, being a lecture delivered at the Banquet Hall, Presidential

Villa, to the Participants of the First National Summit on Disaster

Management, Abuja, 27 January 2006.

Folami AO , Karimu OO , Climate Change and Cross Border Crime in

Nigeria, Being a Paper Presented at the 250th Anniversary Conference

Organised for The Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters on

Climate Change and Security in Trondhiem, Norway, 21-24 June 2010.

Gotau MB, Disaster Management: The Role of Nigerian Army,

National War College Course 11 Project, Abuja, July 2003.

Johnson OO, Disaster Management: A New Concept in Management

Studies ( Unpublished).

87

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

Oghenah O Benjamin , National Emergency Management Agency: Past,

Present & Future, a lecture delivered to students of Senior Course 34

Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, 28 March 2012.

Olowu DO, Disaster Management in Nigeria, A lecture delivered at

University of Ibadan in observance of World Disaster Day on 14 October

2009.

Rufai AH, The Need for a Functional Approach to Disaster Planning

And Management in Nigeria, (Unpublished paper, NIPSS Kuru, 1995).

Silas IB , Disaster Management in Nigeria: A Case Study of Ibadan

Disaster Floods, University of Ibadan MSc Research , March, 2006.

Winehouse Judith, Effect of Green House Gases on Socio-Economic Life:

A Case Study of West Dublin, A paper presented to the Girne American

University, Cyprus, 23 April, 2003.

NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES

Nwogu Success, NESREA Raises Alarm over Environmental

Degradation, Punch Nigeria (Lagos), 19 February 2012.

Nzechi Onwuka, Lagos Flood: House Asks President to Sign Climate

Change Bill, Thisday Newspaper(Abuja), 14 July 2011.

88

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Nigeria: Disaster management, what can NEMA

offer? Thisday Newspapers (Abuja), 2 January 2009.

Sani Sidi, quoted in Shehu Mohammed, Nigeria: NEMAs Performance

in Recent Times, Daily Trust, (Kaduna) 16 September 201.

INTERNET

Brien O Geoff, Phil OKeefe, Joanne Rose and Ben Wisner, Climate

Change and Disaster Management, CLACC Reports 14

November 2011, <http://www.clacc.net/Documents/report/j.1467-

9523.2006.00307.pdf.> (4 December 2011).

Centre for Research and the Epidemiology of Disaster (CRED),

Emergency Events Database, 12 June 2011, <http://www.un-

spider.org/guide-xn/2638/centre-research-epidemiology-disasters-

emergency-events-database-cred-em-dat> (10 October 2011).

IFRCRCS, World Disasters Report 2003, IFRCRCS Publications and

Reports, <http://www.ifrc.org/en/publications-and-reports/world-

disasters-reports/wdr2003/> (11 December 2011).

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. 21

March, 2011,

89

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

<http://www.ifrc.org/en/whatwedo/disastermanagement

/aboutdisasterswhat-is-a-disaster/> (21 February 2012).

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society,

Effective Disaster Management, 23 August 2009.

<http://www.ircrcs.org/disastermanagement/mp.124.> (29

February 2010).

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Disaster Management <http://www.climatecentre.org/site/disaster-

management> (11 October 2011).

IPCC Definition 1, quoted in Nick Brooks, Vulnerability, risk and

adaptation: A conceptual framework Tyndall Centre for Climate

Change Research Working, Paper 38, November 2003 p. 5,

<http://tyndall.ac.uk/sites/default/files/wp38.pdf> (11 October 2011).

Porth E and Kimberley, Neutzling and Jessica Edwards, Anthropological

theories, 15 November 2010,

<http://www.as.ua.edu/ant/faculty/Murphy/function.htm > (17

November 2011).

Onibokun Adedunmade , Global Warming and Nigeria, Information

Nigeria in Home, February 14, 2012,

90

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

<http://www.informationnigeria.org/2012/02/global-warming-and-

nigeria.html> (22 Mar 12).

Ovada Ohiare, Lagos Flood: Nigerian Senate Seeks Declaration of State

of Emergency in Disaster Areas, African Outlook African Outlook

Online, 14 July 2011, <http://www.africanoutlookonline.com/ index.php?

option=com_content&view=article&id=2277%3Alagos-flood-nigerian-

senate-seeks-declaration-of-state-of-emergency-in-disaster-

areas&Itemid=46 > (11 October 2011).

Subair Gbola , Nigerias population too large for comfort NPC,

Nigerian Tribune, 12 July 2011,

<http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/24903--nigerias-population-too-

large-for-comfort-npc > (11 October 2012).

United States Embassy Vienna Austria, United States Policy on the

Kyoto Protocol, 9 March 2001, <http://www.usembassy.at/en/

download/pdf/kyoto.pdf> (11 October 2011).

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Status of

Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol , UNFCCC December 1997, <

http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2613.php > ( 11 October 2011).

Yushau A. Shuaib, NEMA and Challenges of Managing Disasters in

Nigeria, Nigerian Village Square, 07 April 2009, <

91

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

http://www.nigeriavillagesquare. com/articles/yushau-shuaib/nema-and-

challenges-of-managing-disasters-in-nigeria.html > (11 October 2011).

UNSTRUCTURED INTERVIEWS

Adebiyi Olawusi, Chief of Ikorodu, Interviewed on disaster management

in Ikorodu town on 17 December 2011 at Ikorodu town, Lagos State.

92

RESTRICTED