The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission are collaborating on regional early warning systems and climate resilience to mitigate the impacts of climate-related disasters across West Africa.
Charles Anosike, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, announced the partnership when he received a delegation from the ECOWAS Commission led by Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, during a recent courtesy visit in Abuja.
The meeting was aimed at reinforcing strategic partnerships in weather and climate services across West Africa.
Key areas of mutual interest identified during the discussions include joint training initiatives, enhanced access to climate knowledge products, and technical collaboration in support of ECOWAS disaster preparedness and humanitarian response.
In his remarks, Anosike reaffirmed NiMet’s commitment to regional cooperation and emphasized the agency’s pivotal role in supporting early warning systems, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Read also: Sunbeth Energies seals distribution deal with Dangote Refinery
He noted that NiMet stands ready to contribute technical expertise, training, and data access to ECOWAS-led initiatives aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate-related disasters.
Ugbe commended NiMet for its leadership in meteorological services and its rapid support during past humanitarian emergencies, such as the 2017 Sierra Leone mudslide. She highlighted the importance of anticipatory action and timely dissemination of early warnings to save lives and reduce disaster impacts.
According to a statement on the Agency’s X handle, The meeting also featured deliberations on the establishment of the ECOWAS Disaster Operation Centre, currently being spearheaded by Mansur Bako Matazu, the immediate past Director-General of NiMet and a member of the visiting delegation.
The Centre will function as a regional hub for multi-hazard early warning dissemination and response coordination.
Both parties also discussed the prospect of recognising NiMet’s training centres as ECOWAS Centres of Excellence for capacity building in meteorology and climate science.
To formalise the collaboration, NiMet and the ECOWAS Commission agreed to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will guide and expand joint activities aimed at scaling up regional resilience through science-driven, inclusive climate action.
