The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Mr Dasuki Arabi, has said effective emergency management should not be limited to responding to incidents after they occur.
He instead emphasised the importance of developing institutions that are adequately prepared, responsive, coordinated and resilient.
Arabi also advocated stronger institutions, access to real-time data and enhanced collaboration among government agencies to improve Nigeria’s capacity to prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters.
He noted that the growing complexity and frequency of emergencies demanded a coordinated, innovative and technology-based approach involving government and other relevant stakeholders.
The BPSR Director-General made the remarks at the 2026 Annual Emergency Response and Simulation Summit held recently in Abuja, where he received an honorary fellowship from the Institute in recognition of his contributions to public sector reforms and institutional development.
The event also featured the unveiling of the ECRMI Real-Time Disaster Data Management System Platform, an initiative designed to strengthen the application of technology and timely information in emergency management.
According to a press statement obtained on Saturday, Arabi said institutions must be equipped to take prompt decisions based on reliable information.
According to him, “Accurate, timely and accessible disaster data can strengthen early warning systems, improve resource allocation, facilitate inter-agency coordination and enable decision-makers to respond appropriately.”
He described the ECRMI platform as a significant development in the use of technology and information to enhance emergency preparedness and response.
However, the BPSR boss stressed that technological solutions must be supported by institutional reforms, including clearly defined roles, effective coordination structures, relevant skills, interoperable systems and strong accountability mechanisms.
He therefore encouraged stakeholders to promote responsible information sharing while ensuring data remained accurate, secure and properly managed.
The fellowship recipient also identified digital transformation, innovation, performance management and institutional capacity building as key elements of Nigeria’s continuing public service reform programme.
He explained that emergency and disaster management demonstrated the importance of such reforms, noting that delays in decision-making could result in serious consequences.
Arabi called for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to emergency preparedness and response, bringing together government agencies, academic institutions, technology firms, development partners, professional organisations, communities and the private sector.
He urged the organisers and other stakeholders to place greater emphasis on institutional ownership, system interoperability, capacity development, sustainability, data governance and measurable results.
“The ultimate measure of any digital governance platform should be its ability to improve decision-making, strengthen coordination and deliver better outcomes for citizens,” Arabi said.
Reaffirming the Bureau’s commitment to initiatives that promote efficient institutions, innovation, accountability, digital transformation and improved public service delivery, Arabi expressed optimism that the summit’s discussions, simulations and engagements would help strengthen Nigeria’s emergency preparedness framework and support the development of a more resilient society.
The BPSR Director-General congratulated the organisers on the summit and appreciated them for the honour, while wishing participants productive discussions and a successful launch of the ECRMI Real-Time Disaster Data Management System Platform.
