By Bavoriat Clara
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, on Tuesday, 29th July 2025, joined a distinguished gathering of policymakers, industry leaders, and development stakeholders at the opening of the 19th Africa International Housing Show (AIHS), held at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
The flagship event, now in its 19th year, was convened by renowned housing advocate and CEO of FESADEB Communications, Mr. Festus Adebayo. With a reputation as Africa’s largest housing and construction forum, this year’s AIHS brought together experts and delegates from across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond, to engage in critical dialogue around housing development, urban planning, affordability, sustainability, and policy reforms.
Prominent figures in attendance included the former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), who was represented by former Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Professor Sulaiman Elias Bogoro, as the Special Guest of Honour. Also present was former Minister of Information and elder statesman, Professor Jerry Gana, who chaired the event, and the Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, who delivered a keynote address as the Guest of Honour.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar, in her remarks, emphasized the critical link between housing and emergency management, calling for increased investment in disaster-resilient infrastructure. She noted that inadequate and poorly planned housing remains a key vulnerability factor in times of disaster, particularly for internally displaced persons (IDPs), flood victims, and communities prone to environmental risks.
She said, “As disasters become more frequent and complex, Nigeria must prioritize resilient urban systems and housing designs that can withstand shocks. At NEMA, we are committed to promoting a proactive, multi-sectoral approach to disaster risk reduction, and housing is central to that agenda.”
The NEMA DG commended the organisers of AIHS for sustaining a platform that continues to inspire policy shifts and public-private partnerships in the housing sector. She also used the opportunity to reaffirm NEMA’s commitment to collaborating with the Ministry of Housing, development partners, and civil society to integrate risk-informed planning into national shelter strategies.
Highlighting ongoing efforts, Mrs. Umar revealed that NEMA is currently working with state emergency agencies, humanitarian partners, and technical experts to develop standardized shelter models for emergency and post-disaster use. These models aim to provide dignity, safety, and sustainability for affected populations while reducing the burden of protracted displacement.
The 19th AIHS features exhibitions from over 400 local and international brands, panel discussions with housing experts, and technical sessions on topics including affordable housing finance, smart construction technologies, and climate-resilient building codes. The event is expected to run for five days, with stakeholders aiming to draw actionable conclusions that will shape housing and urban development policies across Africa.
As Nigeria continues to face multiple displacement challenges due to climate-related disasters, armed conflicts, and rapid urbanization, the presence and engagement of NEMA at the AIHS signal a growing recognition of the housing-emergency nexus and the need for holistic solutions that build both homes and resilience.
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