By Abbas Nazil
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has urged stronger partnerships across sectors to safeguard the environment and build resilience against climate change impacts.
Director-General of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, made the call during the 2025 Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum in Lagos on September 10, stressing that early warning systems must go beyond forecasts to inspire understanding and drive decisive environmental action.
He noted that the forum, themed: “Early Warnings: Raising Awareness on Climate Risks and Promoting Early Action,” was created to share progress, foster collaboration, co-create solutions, and raise public awareness on climate risks that threaten Nigeria’s ecosystems and livelihoods.
Anosike explained that NiMet plays a vital role in protecting the environment through its services to agriculture, water resources, energy, marine economy, and disaster risk reduction.
Among the innovations showcased were the Seasonal Climate Prediction translated into local languages to guide farmers, and the Digital Climate Advisory Services, developed with MTN, UNDP, IFAD, and Tomorrow.io, which aim to ensure every Nigerian has access to life-saving environmental alerts by 2027.
Other initiatives include daily marine forecasts in collaboration with agencies like NIMASA and NIWA to protect coastal ecosystems, a modernized digital weather studio for timely public updates, and certified regional training centres to build human capacity in meteorology.
He also highlighted recent upgrades in meteorological infrastructure under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, including advanced satellite systems that enhance environmental monitoring.
Partners such as NEMA and NAMA praised NiMet’s efforts, observing that reliable forecasts are key to reducing environmental risks and enhancing resilience in aviation, communities, and natural ecosystems.
Anosike urged stakeholders to provide feedback and deepen collaboration, stressing that collective action is essential to protect Nigeria’s environment in the face of worsening climate threats.
