NiMet DG Advocates AI-Driven Solutions to Combat Climate Risks at NMetS 2026 Conference
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has underscored the urgent need for innovative, technology-driven approaches to strengthen climate resilience in Nigeria, as he delivered a keynote address at the 2026 International Conference of the Nigerian Meteorological Society (NMetS).
The conference, held at the University of Lagos, Akoka, also coincided with the Society’s 35th Annual General Meeting, bringing together meteorologists, researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to deliberate on emerging climate challenges and solutions.
Speaking on the theme, “Advancing Meteorology: Harnessing AI, Satellites, and Big Data for Climate Resilience and Sustainability,” Professor Anosike commended NMetS for convening the event at a critical time when climate risks are intensifying globally.
He stressed that the theme reflects the growing necessity to convert scientific research into practical solutions capable of safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and national development.
“Climate change is no longer a distant concern. It is a lived reality,” Anosike declared, pointing to rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, flooding, droughts, heatwaves, and increasing weather extremes already impacting ecosystems, economies, and societies – particularly across Africa.
Highlighting Nigeria’s specific vulnerabilities, the NiMet boss noted that the country is grappling with a complex mix of environmental challenges, including temperature extremes, shifting rainfall patterns, desertification in the northern regions, and coastal erosion in the south.
According to him, these evolving threats demand a departure from traditional meteorological methods towards more advanced, data-driven systems.
He emphasised that artificial intelligence, satellite technologies, and big data analytics are now at the forefront of modern meteorology, playing a transformative role in improving forecasting accuracy and response times.
Anosike explained that AI-powered models, integrated with satellite observations and supported by high-performance computing, are increasingly central to NiMet’s operations, enabling more precise and impact-based weather predictions.
The Director General further disclosed that NiMet has strengthened its technological capacity through strategic collaborations with global partners, including AIM for Scale, Ignitia, Tomorrow.io, the Korean Meteorological Authority, and the China Meteorological Administration. These partnerships, he said, are helping to embed artificial intelligence into the agency’s operational framework.
He also highlighted the agency’s Digital Climate Advisory Service (DCAS), which is already making significant contributions to climate-resilient agriculture by delivering timely, weather-based advisories to farmers across the country.
Calling for broader collaboration, Anosike urged professional bodies, researchers, and educators to intensify efforts in advancing meteorological science, while appealing to the private sector and civil society to play active roles in strengthening climate observation systems and expanding access to climate services.
He further charged NMetS to prioritise mentorship for young professionals, uphold ethical research standards, and work towards bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and policy implementation. These efforts, he noted, align with the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All initiative aimed at ensuring universal access to life-saving weather and climate information.
Reaffirming NiMet’s commitment to innovation, Anosike stated that the agency will continue to leverage science and technology to build a climate-resilient Nigeria capable of withstanding future environmental shocks.
In recognition of his contributions to meteorological development and services, the NiMet Director General was honoured with a fellowship and commendation award at the conference.
