WMD: NiMet DG Calls For Urgent Investment In Weather Observation Systems 

Kasim Sumaina in 

The Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike, Wednesday called for urgent  investment in weather observation systems, stressing that Nigeria’s ability to predict and survive extreme climate events hinges on the quality of data collected today. 

Anosike, in his remarks at the 2026 World Meteorological Day celebration in Abuja, with the theme, ‘Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow,’ emphasised that accurate and timely weather observations are the foundation of all forecasts, early warnings and climate projections.

He stated that the increasing frequency of extreme weather events driven by climate change has made reliable meteorological data more critical than ever. 

He pointed to findings from NiMet’s 2025 climate report, which showed that at least 23 Nigerian cities recorded extreme daytime temperatures of 40°C and above, with Nguru experiencing up to 100 days of such intense heat. 

The NiMet DG also noted a rising trend in flooding across the country, underscoring the need for proactive measures to mitigate the impact of these events.

According to him, “These realities underline a simple truth, without strong observation systems, we cannot accurately predict or effectively respond to climate risks.” 

The NiMet boss highlighted ongoing efforts by the agency to modernize its infrastructure, including the expansion of surface and upper air observation networks, satellite data systems, and automatic weather stations. 

These, he said, are already supporting critical sectors such as aviation safety, agriculture, disaster management and maritime operations.

However, Anosike maintained that government’s efforts alone are insufficient to meet growing demands, emphasizing the need for deeper collaboration with the private sector, noting that global trends show increasing private investment in weather technologies such as remote sensing, data analytics and artificial intelligence-driven forecasting models, which are essential for building a sustainable and comprehensive national observation system.

“Every weather station installed today strengthens our ability to safeguard lives and economic activities in the future,” Anosike said, describing investment in meteorological infrastructure as “critical and imminent”. 

He also revealed that NiMet is extending its technical expertise beyond Nigeria, providing advisory support to countries such as Liberia, Niger, Somalia and Burkina Faso under international cooperation frameworks coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization.

Also speaking, the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NiMet, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, said the theme of the 2026 celebration, ‘Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow,’ speaks directly to Nigeria’s core mandate. 

She noted that at NiMet, observation is not an abstract concept. “It is our network of synoptic stations, agrometeorological stations, upper-air stations, marine observations and more, that we operate daily, often under challenging conditions, to keep Nigeria informed and safe.

“This year’s celebration is particularly important. It challenges us to rethink how we expand and sustain our observation systems. And this is where the role of everyone becomes critical.”

The Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, while speaking at the event, said aviation and meteorology have always been inseparable partners, noting that professionals in the meteorological services provide the “eyes” that allow Nigeria to navigate the invisible complexities of the atmosphere.

Najomo further noted that the event was a reminder that the safety of our skies depends on real-time, high-precision data.