The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) urged today that forging stronger alliances will ensure weather and climate data prompt swift measures to save lives, protect assets and bolster resilience to environmental hazards.
Speaking in Lagos at the Admiralty Event and Conference Centre, NiMet’s two-day Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum convened under the theme “Early Warnings: Raising Awareness on Climate Risks and Promoting Early Action.” The gathering drew officials from government bodies, academia, civil society, development agencies and private industry.
Professor Charles Anosike explained that the forum aims to deepen discussion, streamline delivery of NiMet’s services and foster teamwork among users. “Early warnings must not end with forecasts alone; they must inspire understanding and drive decisive action,” he stated.
He highlighted the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) tool, which many farmers and grassroots organisations rely upon for rainfall and temperature outlooks. The forecasts reach rural communities in local languages, ensuring broad accessibility.
Turning to aviation, the DG described the new Electronic Flight Folder, which supplies pilots with up-to-the-minute meteorological reports. He added that several airports have achieved ISO quality management certification, with more set to follow.
Professor Anosike said NiMet now issues daily maritime bulletins in collaboration with NIMASA and other partners. “Just as we have built trust and reliability in aviation, we are working to replicate the same impact in Nigeria’s marine sector,” he added.
He underscored that these advances rest on shared effort. “It is important to clearly state that we cannot do this alone. Whatever we have done or achieved, we have done so with the active collaborations, partnerships, and support from our stakeholders, cutting across government and non-governmental, local and international,” he remarked.
Inna Binta Audu, Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Development Partners, praised NiMet for “putting knowledge into action.” She emphasised that linking forecasts with policy decisions can be lifesaving in a country prone to climate extremes.
Representing Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the World Meteorological Organization, Naoni Nabl commended NiMet’s inclusive approach. “NiMet’s model of inclusive dialogue is a template for how meteorological agencies can translate science into solutions,” he observed.
Bernard Edward Gomez, WMO Representative for North, Central and West Africa, highlighted national weather services as pivotal to socio-economic resilience, noting their wide-ranging benefits for communities.
Over two days, the forum featured exhibitions, expert panels and interactive sessions, showcasing NiMet’s latest products and innovations. The Agency reaffirmed its pledge to enhance early warning capacity and support a climate-resilient Nigeria.