The Center for Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies (CDRMDS), Nasarawa State University, Keffi, on Thursday, 25th September 2025, embarked on an academic field trip to the headquarters of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Abuja. The visit was designed to expose students and faculty members to real-world operations in disaster risk reduction and emergency response.
Welcoming the delegation on behalf of the Director General of NEMA, the Special Adviser, Hajiya Rakiya Bello Umar, described the visit as significant in linking academic research with practical application.
“At NEMA, we believe knowledge is most effective when theory meets practice. We are therefore delighted to share our experiences, strategies, and challenges in coordinating emergency response, preparedness, mitigation, and recovery efforts across the country,” she said.
She commended Nasarawa State University for its proactive efforts in equipping students with practical knowledge, stressing that such engagements help prepare the next generation of professionals to tackle complex issues of disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development.
Responding, the Director of CDRMDS Prof. A. T. Ogah, expressed appreciation for the warm reception and enriching experience.
“This visit has been both impactful and inspiring. It offered us first-hand exposure to the institutional frameworks, practical operations, and national strategies deployed by NEMA. The insights gained will greatly complement our academic training and strengthen our collective capacity in disaster risk reduction and sustainable development,” he noted.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Mrs. Hadiza Mustapha Umara, a researcher and student of the Center, expressed gratitude on behalf of the delegation. She acknowledged the Director General and her team, as well as facilitators including Dr. A. Onimode, Director of Planning and Forecasting, the Directors of HRM, DPRF, DSAR, and the Head of Press Unit, for their guidance and detailed presentations.
She also praised Prof. Ogah for his leadership in facilitating the visit, while commending her colleagues and fellow students for their active participation.
Accompanying the Director were Dr N. L. Bala, Deputy Director of the Center, Mr. A. S. Ogah, and Mr Emmanuel Shattima.
The field trip provided a platform for staff and students of CDRMDS to bridge theory with practice, marking another milestone in strengthening partnerships between academia and national institutions towards building resilience, preparedness, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
