World Bank, NiMet Strengthen Collaboration to Boost Nigeria’s Climate Resilience Through Early Warning Systems
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), in a significant step towards bolstering capacity to mitigate the effects of climate and weather-related hazards, hosted a high-level delegation from the World Bank at its headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, 3 June 2025.
The meeting formed part of an ongoing mission focused on Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in Nigeria, with the goal of enhancing the country’s resilience through improved early warning systems and integrated risk strategies.
The World Bank team, led by Mr Francis Samson Nkoka, Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist, held discussions with NiMet leadership to explore avenues for technical collaboration and investment in climate services infrastructure.
The mission underscores the growing urgency to address climate-induced disasters through coordinated institutional support and strategic funding.
Welcoming the delegation, Professor Charles Anosike, Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NiMet and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), highlighted the importance of developing robust climate advisory services.
He noted that achieving this vision demands a multi-pronged strategy focused on improving the accuracy and timeliness of forecasts, aligning services to local realities, and fostering greater cooperation among stakeholders.
“Strengthening our climate advisory capabilities involves more than just technology. It requires sustained investment in human capacity, financial support, and the integration of services tailored to diverse user needs,” Professor Anosike said.
“By working together with global partners like the World Bank, we can build a climate-resilient Nigeria that is prepared for the challenges of tomorrow,” he added.
The visiting World Bank delegation also included Mr Oscar Ishizawa, Lead Specialist in Disaster Risk Management; Ms Mary Elinor Boyer and Ms Nathalie Andrea Wandel, both Senior Specialists in Disaster Risk Management; and Mr Christopher Cameron Hann, a hydrometeorology consultant.
The team’s visit follows earlier engagements held in January 2025 between the World Bank and the Federal Government of Nigeria, where initial frameworks for climate risk management and emergency preparedness were discussed.
During their visit, the delegation was taken on a guided tour of NiMet’s facilities and introduced to the state-of-the-art technologies being used to deliver accurate and timely weather forecasts and climate advisories.
The World Bank team commended NiMet’s commitment to modernising its systems and providing science-based climate services that align with Nigeria’s broader developmental objectives.
This strategic partnership signals a deepening commitment between NiMet and the World Bank to safeguard lives, infrastructure, and economic activities through innovation, institutional reform, and sustainable investment.
By prioritising early warning systems and knowledge-driven climate action, both institutions aim to lay the groundwork for a safer and more resilient Nigeria in the face of an increasingly uncertain climate future.
