Evaluating NEMA's Preparedness and Response to Flood Disasters in Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna State

This study critically examines the preparedness and response mechanisms of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to flood disasters within Sabon Gari Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Despite institutional frameworks designed to mitigate flood risks, recurrent flooding continues to impose severe socio-economic impacts on vulnerable populations, signalling deficiencies in current disaster management approaches. Employing a purposive sampling technique, nine communities within Sabon Gari LGA were selected for in-depth investigation, with a total of 399 respondents surveyed through structured questionnaires utilising a five-point Likert scale. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics via SPSS version 27, with the threshold mean of 3.0 serving as an indicator of satisfaction. Findings reveal widespread dissatisfaction with NEMA's flood mitigation efforts, with 74% of respondents expressing dissatisfaction and a mean satisfaction score of 2.41, clearly below the acceptance criterion. This pervasive discontent underscores shortcomings in timely early warning dissemination, inadequate community involvement, and inequitable resource allocation. The study further identifies critical gaps in the integration of indigenous knowledge into formal flood risk management protocols and highlights spatial disparities favouring urban areas over equally vulnerable rural settlements. Recommendations advocate for the enhancement of participatory frameworks to incorporate local knowledge and community engagement effectively, improvement of early warning system coverage and customisation, and a more equitable distribution of disaster management resources across Sabon Gari LGA. This research contributes uniquely to the existing body of knowledge by providing empirically grounded, granular insights into institutional effectiveness at the local government level, thereby informing policy reform that addresses both structural and operational challenges in flood disaster management in Nigeria.