The Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Charles Anosike, has pledged the federal government’s dedication to addressing humanitarian crises caused by conflicts, natural disasters, and climate change. Speaking at NiMet’s 2nd roundtable meeting on “Anticipatory Action Framework for Nigeria,” Anosike called for enhanced inter-agency collaboration to tackle these challenges effectively.
Anosike highlighted NiMet’s use of advanced technology and skilled personnel to deliver accurate and timely weather forecasts and climate predictions. These tools, he said, are critical for enabling early action, such as community evacuations, resource mobilization, and infrastructure reinforcement, ahead of severe weather events. “Our continuous weather observation and impact-based forecasting ensure the safety of vulnerable communities by facilitating disaster preparedness and response,” he stated.
The Head of Office for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Nigeria, Trond Jensen, emphasized the importance of prevention in addressing climate-related emergencies. “Anticipation allows us to prevent or mitigate climate incidents, reducing human suffering and saving costs, which is vital in today’s resource-constrained world,” Jensen said.
Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, Director General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), expressed optimism that the roundtable discussions would yield actionable solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts among agencies to meet the growing challenges posed by extreme weather events and shifting demographics.
The event underscored the necessity of aligning NiMet’s work with national and global efforts to address climate vulnerabilities. By focusing on early warning systems and anticipatory actions, the agency aims to strengthen Nigeria’s disaster management capacity and protect at-risk communities.
The roundtable highlighted the Tinubu administration’s priority on proactive climate action, emphasizing partnerships and strategic planning to reduce the impacts of climate change on Nigerians.
