NiMet, South-East Development Commission Forge Strategic Partnership to Boost Climate Disaster Preparedness in South-East
In a renewed bid to tackle climate-related disasters and promote sustainable development in Nigeria’s South-East region, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) have pledged to collaborate closely on climate resilience initiatives.
This was the outcome of a strategic meeting held today in Abuja between the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike, and the Managing Director of the SEDC, Mr. Mark Okoye.
During the visit, Mr. Okoye reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to fostering regional development through the establishment of commissions like the SEDC.
He emphasised that the SEDC was created to coordinate and implement programmes aimed at reconstructing and rehabilitating infrastructure, as well as addressing ecological and developmental challenges in the South-East.
He noted that the Commission is actively seeking partnerships with institutions like NiMet to advance climate-resilient development across the region.
According to Mr. Okoye, the SEDC is particularly interested in exploring collaboration opportunities that would help de-risk economic sectors through strategic intervention projects.
In his remarks, Professor Anosike commended the initiative and expressed NiMet’s readiness to support the SEDC’s objectives. He highlighted the Agency’s past successes with the North-East Development Commission, where NiMet provided early warning services and climate information to aid regional development. He assured that similar efforts could be extended to the South-East.
“We must work together to identify vulnerabilities in the region and design mitigation strategies that enable communities to adapt to climate risks,” Anosike stated. “Our Agency has the scientific capacity and evidence-based tools to tackle challenges such as flash floods, soil erosion, and other extreme weather-related hazards.”
Professor Anosike also pointed out that downscaling NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction remains a critical, easily implementable solution to boost climate-smart agriculture and ensure food security — a priority under the current administration’s food systems security initiative.
He further stressed the importance of capacity building and advocacy campaigns to bridge the climate information gap in communities. This, he said, would enable citizens to make informed decisions that protect livelihoods and foster sustainable development.
At the close of the meeting, both parties agreed to formalise their cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The MoU, they noted, would lay the groundwork for joint public-private engagements and accelerate the achievement of shared goals as Federal Government institutions.
The partnership between NiMet and the SEDC is expected to play a critical role in enhancing climate adaptation strategies and resilience in the South-East, thereby supporting national development objectives.
