NiMet Urges Collective Drive for Climate Preparedness

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has inaugurated its first-ever Stakeholders’ Forum in Lagos, setting the stage for enhanced collaboration on climate risk awareness, disaster preparedness, and early warning systems.

The event, which opened at the Admiralty Event and Conference Centre, Victoria Island, was themed “Early Warnings: Raising Awareness on Climate Risks and Promoting Early Action.” It brought together policymakers, industry leaders, development partners, and representatives of vulnerable communities.

Delivering the keynote, NiMet’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Charles Anosike, who also serves as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), described the forum as a milestone in the Agency’s history.

“This forum is the first of its kind in the history of NiMet. It is an opportunity to share progress, co-create solutions, and strengthen our resolve to build a resilient Nigeria. Climate change is no longer a distant threat — it is here, and early warnings must translate into decisive action,” he declared.

Professor Anosike outlined NiMet’s statutory responsibility to collect, process, and disseminate weather and climate information for the safety of lives, protection of property, and socio-economic development.

He stressed that the Agency’s services extend beyond aviation into key sectors including agriculture, marine and blue economy, health, water resources, telecommunications, and disaster risk reduction.

Highlighting NiMet’s flagship Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), the DG said the product serves as a critical guide for farmers, policymakers, and disaster managers. To ensure inclusivity, the forecasts are translated into Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and Pidgin English, with dissemination carried out through partnerships across the country.

On aviation, he revealed that NiMet had adopted the Electronic Flight Folder (e-Flight Folder) to replace traditional manual records, giving airlines and pilots virtual access to real-time weather reports for safer flight planning. He also announced that five airports – Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu – now hold ISO certification, with plans to expand coverage.

In line with the United Nations’ “Early Warnings for All” initiative, Professor Anosike said NiMet is working to ensure every Nigerian has access to life-saving climate information by 2027. To this end, the Agency has built alliances with organisations including MTN Nigeria, Tomorrow.io, Sahel Consulting, UNDP, FAO, IFAD, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

NiMet also collaborates closely with the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), providing forecasts that underpin annual flood outlooks and disaster mitigation strategies.

Professor Anosike announced that NiMet’s technological backbone had been modernised through expanded Numerical Weather Prediction models and the deployment of Meteowiz, an in-house system that enables real-time meteorological data transmission across Nigeria and beyond.

On capacity building, he pointed to NiMet’s research and training centres – the National Meteorological Institute of Science and Technology (NMIST), Lagos, and the Muhammadu Buhari Meteorological Institute of Science and Technology (MBMIST), Katsina – which continue to produce skilled professionals for the sector.

He further disclosed that NiMet had secured approval for the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), Kaduna to be recognised by the WMO as part of its Regional Training Centre network.

While acknowledging the backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, Professor Anosike cautioned that sustained progress would require broader financial and institutional support.

“Despite limited resources, NiMet has never compromised on service quality. Yet, government subvention alone can no longer sustain the demand for climate services. We call on stakeholders to partner with us in ensuring that weather and climate information translates into proactive decisions and resilient communities,” he urged.

The forum is expected to feature technical sessions, panel discussions, and exhibitions showcasing NiMet’s applied meteorological services and innovations.

Concluding his address, the DG underscored the shared responsibility of stakeholders in addressing climate risks.

“Together, we can make early warnings count, reduce risks, protect investments, and secure the future of our nation in the face of a changing climate,” he said.