The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has reiterated its determination to place accurate weather and climate data at the heart of the country’s disaster preparedness strategy.
Speaking at the Anticipatory Action National Conference, NiMet’s Director-General, Professor Charles Anosike, told participants that last year’s floods which claimed hundreds of lives and displaced millions demonstrated both the power and the limitations of current early warning systems.
“Early warnings helped save thousands of lives during the devastating floods of recent years,” Prof. Anosike said.
“Imagine what we could achieve if data-driven anticipatory action was scaled up nationwide.”
The conference, convened by the Office of the Vice President in partnership with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) Nigeria, brought together government officials, humanitarian agencies, and climate experts to explore ways to act before disasters strike.
Prof. Anosike highlighted NiMet’s ongoing modernisation programme, including an expanded network of weather stations and the adoption of cutting-edge forecasting technologies. He singled out the agency’s Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) as a critical tool now relied upon by farmers, urban planners, emergency responders, and policymakers.
“By delivering reliable forecasts on rainfall patterns, drought risks, and extreme weather events well in advance, we are turning information into lifesaving action,” he said.
The NiMet CEO stressed that anticipatory action cannot succeed in silos. “It requires a whole-of-society approach – engaging communities, ensuring systems talk to each other, and sharing knowledge without barriers,” he told the audience.
While acknowledging persistent challenges – including data gaps in rural areas and limited access to technology – Prof. Anosike expressed optimism about emerging solutions such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and mobile-phone platforms.
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