By| Goodluck E.Adubazi | Abuja
The Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has called for the urgent adoption of innovative technologies to combat Nigeria’s growing climate challenges.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 International Conference of the Nigerian Meteorological Society (NMetS) and its 35th Annual General Meeting held at the University of Lagos, Anosike stressed that artificial intelligence, satellite systems, and big data analytics are now essential tools for building climate resilience.
He praised the conference theme, “Advancing Meteorology: Harnessing AI, Satellites, and Big Data for Climate Resilience and Sustainability,” describing it as a timely response to the intensifying impacts of climate change.
“Climate change is no longer a distant concern. It is a lived reality,” Anosike said, pointing to rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, flooding, droughts, and heatwaves affecting ecosystems, economies, and communities—particularly across Africa.
The NiMet chief warned that traditional meteorological approaches are no longer sufficient to tackle these evolving threats. He explained that the integration of AI-driven forecasting, satellite observations, and high-performance computing has become central to NiMet’s operations, enabling more accurate and timely weather predictions.
Anosike also highlighted Nigeria’s diverse climate challenges, including desertification in the north, coastal erosion in the south, and increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns nationwide.
To strengthen its capabilities, NiMet has partnered with global organizations such as AIM for Scale, Ignitia, Tomorrow.io, the Korean Meteorological Administration, and the China Meteorological Administration to advance the application of AI in meteorological services.
He noted that NiMet’s Digital Climate Advisory Service is already delivering tailored weather information to farmers, helping to improve agricultural productivity and climate resilience.
Calling for broader collaboration, Anosike urged researchers, private sector players, and civil society groups to support the expansion of meteorological infrastructure and climate services. He also encouraged the society to mentor young professionals and bridge the gap between scientific research and policy-making, in line with global early warning initiatives.
In recognition of his contributions to meteorology, Anosike was awarded a fellowship and commendation at the event.
The conference continues with stakeholders exploring innovative solutions to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for climate-related risks.
