By Abdullahi Lukman
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has issued a strong warning about the growing risk of climate-induced disasters facing West Africa and the wider African continent.
Speaking at a regional workshop for ECOWAS Directors of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in Abuja on May 20, 2025, Keyamo highlighted the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related events, which are severely impacting vulnerable communities.
Keyamo stated that these climate challenges have wide-ranging consequences, including threats to food security, water availability, public health, transportation, and national security.
He noted that erratic weather patterns, such as prolonged droughts, intense flooding, rising temperatures, and destructive storms, are becoming more common in West Africa.
According to the 2023 State of the Climate Report by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), climate hazards cause African countries to lose up to 5 percent of their GDP annually.
Keyamo explained that many West African nations are forced to divert up to 9 percent of their budgets to address the impacts of these climate extremes, such as localised agricultural shortfalls due to rainfall deficits.
“The need for accurate, timely, and actionable weather and climate information has never been more critical,” Keyamo said, underscoring the essential role of meteorological and hydrological services in mitigating these risks.
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He also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing the operational capacity of its meteorological agency, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which plays a leading role in the ECOWAS region.
Keyamo emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and the collective pursuit of sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, and climate adaptation.
He highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing investment in NiMet’s modernization and international partnerships as part of efforts to improve regional climate resilience.
Meanwhile, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandje Toure-Litse, represented by Mr. Bernard Koffi, stressed the vulnerability of West Africa to climate change.
She pointed out that the region has faced a 47 percent increase in flood-related incidents between 2021 and 2024, which has displaced millions and caused over $1.3 billion in damages. Toure-Litse also noted that climate-related disruptions have reduced agricultural productivity by 10 percent, contributing to food insecurity and inflation.
Both Keyamo and Toure-Litse called for better access to climate data and improved hydrometeorological services, particularly in rural areas, to ensure timely adaptation and response to climate threats.
This, they argued, is vital for protecting the livelihoods of millions of people and for ensuring sustainable development across the region.
Prof. Charles Anosike, Director-General of NiMet, also spoke at the workshop, emphasizing the need for technology-driven solutions, such as artificial intelligence and satellite technology, to improve predictive accuracy and service delivery in the region.
