ZUBAIDA UMAR: A Tactical Planner Takes Charge At NEMA

The statement announcing her appointment as the new Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on March 12, 2024, said President Bola Tinubu expects her to “bring the much-needed financial and operational discipline and refashion the agency into a performance-driven and proactive emergency response provider with a focus on prevention and climate change readiness in the execution of its core mandate.”

In peace time, NEMA’s challenges have included poor logistics and coordination of emergency response, lack of proper equipment, poorly kept records and data, and rampant corruption. Funds and relief items have been diverted or mismanaged in the past.

But there is no doubt that Zubaida Umar is coming at a trying time for Nigeria when insecurity in several parts of the country has turned the people to refugees in their own land. Many will agree that her appointment is no doubt well thought out which must have considered her capacity and previous public service accomplishments.

Zubaida Umar is a financial expert with membership of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), the Institute of Directors and the Institute of Credit Administration (ICA). She also holds ACCA Certificates in Public Financial Management, Sustainability Finance and Digital Finance.

But the more impressive aspect of her resume is her accomplishments in previous engagements and the skill set she possesses. She had demonstrated visionary leadership and ability to bring people and institutions together while building strategic alliances. Her expertise and skills include tactical planning, risk management, organisational reforms and project management.

Zubaida Umar has over 20 years of professional experience, with speciality in human resources and financial management, and she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new task at NEMA.

She was appointed NEMA DG from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria where she excelled as Executive Director Finance & Corporate Services. With less than two years oversighting the Finance and Corporate Services Directorate, encompassing the Finance & Control, Human Resource Management, Information Communications Technology, and Support Services Groups, she changed the narrative for the bank.

Through strategic leadership and operational excellence, she successfully oversaw the bank’s digital revolution, and spearheaded the update and digitization of the staff database, improving operational efficiency and data management.

She orchestrated the upgrade and renovation of several of the bank’s branch offices, and deployed strategic and cost-reflective models to enhance the institution’s public image and operational effectiveness.

She also led the comprehensive review and modernization of the bank’s Human Resource Policy and facilitated the timely completion and submission of the Bank’s 2017 and 2018 Audited Financial Statements to the Central Bank of Nigeria for approval, ensuring regulatory compliance and transparency.

Zubaida Umar has also impressed as a strategic thinker who had demonstrated a knack for implementing innovative human resource strategies that drive organizational success. She is a team player, a people manager who understands that team building evolves from the enhancement of partners and the development of the skills and strengths of work colleagues.

She became executive director of the bank after excelling as a result-driven zonal manager of the bank between 2020-2022. She effectively coordinated the operations of multiple state branches within the north central zone. Her achievements included expanding the bank’s reach and impact within the region and consistently surpassing annual targets for collection and registration of contributors NHF contributors.

She was adept at managing and empowering branch managers to drive efficient mobilization, exceed monthly targets, and implement business processes. She is known for fostering a culture of excellence and achieving remarkable results through strategic leadership and operational acumen.

Before moving up into the FMBN, she cut her teeth as a public service at the Debt Management Office, where she was appointed Zonal Coordinator for Abuja after her National Youth Service Corps in 2000.

At the DMO, she was credited with Implementing advanced database management techniques which led to improved accuracy and efficiency in monitoring domestic debts of the federal and state governments.

Besides providing strategic advisories on domestic debt management and contributing to the development of effective debt management policies and practices, she played a pivotal role in projecting a positive image of Nigeria through participation in international events and exercises, showcasing the nation’s disciplined and organized approach to managing its assets and liabilities on a global platform.

She was at the DMO up till 2008 when was appointed an Executive Assistant to the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the FMBN in 2009. Her dedication and resourcefulness saw her profile rise quickly in the bank.

She rose to become a deputy general manager (head of department, organisational resourcing) in the bank three years later. She surpassed expectations in her new role as she introduced a harmonized performance assessment and appraisal system which enhanced transparency and fairness.

The energetic administrator was also credited with coordinating the successful reorganization of staff placement that ensured proper alignment with organizational objectives and individual competencies. She also championed the establishment of the FMBN Football Team, fostering teamwork, collaboration, and a sense of community within the bank. She became zonal coordinator of the bank, Abuja zone in 2011.

NEMA’s mission is to coordinate resources towards efficient and effective disaster prevention, preparedness, mitigation and response in Nigeria. It is statutorily empowered to mobilize and coordinate respective agencies such as Fire Service, the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Défense Corps, Federal Road Safety Commission, Federal Ministry of Health and the Non-Governmental Organization like Red Cross in managing disasters in the country.

But these agencies are not under the control of NEMA. Thus, having a human resource manager and proven institutional coordinator as DG greatly enhances NEMA’s ability to be more effective in its responses to disasters. This is what President Tinubu expects. It is what Nigerians desire. It is what Zubaida Umar has to deliver.