NiMet DG Urges Investment in Weather Observation Systems

On Wednesday, Prof. Charles Anosike, the Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), called for urgent investment in weather observation systems to improve Nigeria's capacity to predict and respond to extreme climate events.

His remarks were made during the 2026 World Meteorological Day celebration in Abuja, themed "Observ Today, Protect Tomorrow." Anosike stressed the importance of accurate and timely weather observations as foundational for forecasting and early warning systems, especially given the increasing frequency of extreme weather events driven by climate change. NiMet's 2025 climate report indicated that at least 23 Nigerian cities recorded extreme daytime temperatures exceeding 40°C, with Nguru experiencing 100 days of intense heat.

He noted a rising trend in flooding across the country, underscoring the need for proactive measures to mitigate the impacts of such events. Anosike highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize NiMet's infrastructure, including expanding surface and upper air observation networks and utilizing satellite data systems.

He also mentioned the necessity for deeper collaboration with the private sector to build a sustainable national observation system.