By Abbas Nazil
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) have forged a strategic partnership to enhance maritime safety across the two subregions.
The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on December 5, 2024, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, aims to tackle shared challenges in maritime safety, security, and environmental sustainability in one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
The agreement underscores the critical role of meteorological data in ensuring the safety of vessels and addressing environmental threats such as pollution.
NiMet’s Director General, Professor Charles Anosike, emphasized during the MoU signing ceremony that accurate weather forecasts and timely warnings are pivotal in protecting lives and property at sea.
He described the partnership as a landmark step toward fostering regional cooperation in marine meteorology and meeting international safety standards.
According to Anosike, NiMet has consistently demonstrated its capacity as Nigeria’s authoritative voice in meteorology, contributing to sustainable economic development through reliable weather information.
He highlighted the importance of adhering to global conventions such as the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, which mandates the dissemination of weather information to ships twice daily.
This, he explained, ensures that shipping and fishing activities are better informed and prepared for adverse weather conditions.
The collaboration between NiMet and MOWCA is expected to significantly improve the collection and sharing of ocean-based observational data, which Anosike described as essential for addressing the region’s socioeconomic and environmental challenges.
He called for greater investment in ocean observation infrastructure to enhance the capacity of both organizations to deliver reliable maritime weather information.
Such advancements, the NiMet helmsman noted, would bring immense benefits to countries in West and Central Africa by improving operational efficiency and reducing risks associated with maritime activities.
MOWCA Secretary General, Dr. Paul Adalikwu, commended NiMet’s efforts in providing accurate and timely meteorological information for the maritime sector.
He acknowledged the agency’s pivotal role in predicting storms, tides, and sea conditions, all of which are critical for the safety and efficiency of vessels navigating the region’s waterways.
Adalikwu stressed the importance of fostering collaboration between MOWCA member states and NiMet, noting that Nigeria’s waterways handle a significant volume of maritime traffic.
Adalikwu also expressed confidence in the potential of the partnership to address shared regional challenges, including maritime security and environmental degradation.
He pledged to escalate the issues raised by NiMet to member states, encouraging them to adopt the best practices demonstrated by Nigeria’s meteorological agency.
The partnership aims to enhance the delivery of weather information to shipping lines and fishing grounds within MOWCA member states.
By leveraging NiMet’s expertise and MOWCA’s regional reach, the initiative is expected to foster stronger integration and resilience in the maritime sector.
As the region grapples with growing concerns over maritime safety and environmental sustainability, the collaboration between NiMet and MOWCA offers a promising solution. Improved weather forecasting and regional cooperation are expected to mitigate risks, protect ecosystems, and support sustainable economic growth.
Both organizations have committed to working closely with stakeholders to ensure the success of this partnership, emphasizing the shared vision of a safer and more sustainable maritime environment across Africa.