“Early warnings must not end with forecasts alone; they must inspire understanding and drive decisive action.” – Charles Anosike
At a time when Nigeria is facing rising sea levels, erratic rainfall patterns, and the intensifying bite of heatwaves, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) is sounding the alarm; not just in forecasts, but in action.
Today, stakeholders from various sectors and organizations gathered in Lagos, for the first-ever NiMeT Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum; a bold move by the agency to reframe early warnings as tools for survival, not just information.
Speaking to a packed room of experts, government officials, and private sector players, Director General of NiMeT, Prof. Charles Anosike, didn’t mince words: “Early warnings must not end with forecasts alone; they must inspire understanding and drive decisive action.”
And the stakes are high.
From flood-prone communities in Lagos Mainland to drying farmlands in the North, the climate crisis is no longer distant. It’s local. It’s personal. And NiMeT believes the way forward is partnership — not just across government agencies, but with communities, telecoms, civil society, and global institutions.
The forum, themed “Early Warnings: Raising Awareness on Climate Risks and Promoting Early Action,” was designed as more than just another forum.
According to NiMeT, it serves as a platform to co-create solutions and share progress on NiMeT’s innovations; some of which are already transforming lives across Nigeria.
Key highlights included:
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Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP): Co-created with local stakeholders and translated into Nigerian languages, these forecasts help farmers, city planners, and disaster managers prepare for what’s coming.
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Digital Climate Advisory Services (DCAS): In collaboration with MTN, Tomorrow.io, UNDP, and IFAD, NiMeT is working to ensure every Nigerian receives life-saving alerts on their phones by 2027.
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Marine Forecasting: In a nod to Lagos’ growing Blue Economy, NiMeT now delivers daily marine weather forecasts in partnership with NIMASA, NIWA, and LASWA — helping fishermen and coastal communities make safer choices.
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Aviation Services: With upgraded e-Flight Folders and international certifications for key airports, flight safety in Nigeria is getting a much-needed weather tech boost.
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Meteorological Training & Research: From Lagos to Katsina, new certified training centres are equipping the next generation of climate scientists and forecasters.
Anosike, who is the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) credited recent federal support, particularly from President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barr. Festus Keyamo, for enabling major infrastructure upgrades; including the installation of cutting-edge satellite and meteorological equipment across the country.
Adding weight to the DG’s message, Mrs Glory Amarachi Onyegbule, Director, Directorate of Applied Meteorological Services (DAMS), while hosting a panel session underscored the importance of NiMeT’s growing portfolio of climate services as the foundation for resilience; spanning agriculture, health, water resources, and marine operations.
The panelists, senior officers from DAMS, advocated for increased attention on the blue economy and coastal resilience, noting that Nigeria’s coastlines face mounting threats from sea-level rise and tidal surges. They also highlighted the importance of Geographical Information Services (GIS) towards not just enhancing meteorological data for climate resilience and disaster risk assessment; but also ensuring the integrity and quality of data from system of collection, point of origin to use of such data.
Wrapping up the panel session, Mrs Onyegbule stated, “No single institution can manage climate risks alone,” she said, aligning her remarks with the DG’s call for stronger partnerships.
The event also drew goodwill messages from a range of stakeholders, reinforcing the urgency of climate vulnerabilities and need for actionable solutions.
Zubaida Umar, Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), praised NiMeT for its crucial role in disaster preparedness. Represented by Director of SouthWest Zonal Operations, Saheed Akiode, she pledged deeper collaboration to turn data into lives saved.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Farouk Ahmed in his remarks stressed the mounting risks climate change poses to aviation — from turbulence to infrastructure stress — and welcomed the forum’s localised approach to building resilience. Represented by the Director of Air Traffic Services, Mr John Tayo, the NAMA MD urged participants to recommend constructive solutions that could safeguard lives; preventing disasters on ground or in the air.
Inna Binta Audu, Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Development Partners, commended NiMeT for “putting knowledge into action.” She stressed that in a country where climate extremes cut directly into livelihoods, the agency’s drive to connect forecasts with decision-making stands out as lifesaving. For her, stakeholder forums of this nature are more than conversations — they are bridges linking government policy, humanitarian response, and the resilience of communities at risk.
In his remarks, Mr. Bernard Edward Gomez, WMO Representative for North, Central and West Africa, speaking on behalf of the WMO Secretary-General, underscored the authoritative role of National Meteorological Services like NiMeT. He highlighted their centrality in building multi-sectoral climate resilience; with benefits that span disaster preparedness, food security, and socioeconomic growth.
Naoni Nabl, Director of Observation System at the Moroccan General Directorate of Meteorology, representing the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco with WMO, praised NiMet’s leadership in strengthening Africa’s collective voice on climate services. He described stakeholder engagement as “the heartbeat of effective early warning systems” and held up NiMet’s inclusive dialogue model as a template for how science can be translated into real solutions.
Choosing Lagos, Nigeria’s economic nerve centre and a frontline state in the climate crisis was no coincidence. From coastal flooding in Lekki to heatwaves hitting inner-city communities, Lagos represents both the vulnerability and the potential of Nigeria’s climate journey.
As one attendee put it, “If we can get early warning systems right here, we can get them right anywhere in the country.”
Anosike’s parting message was clear: “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.”
For NiMeT, the forecast isn’t just about weather; it’s about shared responsibility and collective collaboration. And in Lagos, today, that forecast just turned a corner.
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