The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike, today, Tuesday, 20th May 2025, welcomed delegates to the 14th Meeting of the Committee of Directors of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) of ECOWAS Member States in Abuja.
The three-day meeting aims to review the current state of meteorological and hydrological services across the ECOWAS region, share updates on ongoing initiatives such as the Hydromet Programme, and develop actionable recommendations for strengthening early warning systems and disaster risk management. Sessions will cover regional projects, data-sharing frameworks, capacity building, and public–private partnerships, all geared toward advancing ECOWAS’s climate resilience agenda.
During the opening ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to regional integration and climate preparedness. He underscored the economic and human toll of climate extremes, calling for innovative collaboration and increased investment in hydrometeorological infrastructure. “Our shared challenges demand shared solutions,” he remarked before officially declaring the meeting open.
In his welcome address, Prof. Anosike emphasized the importance of leveraging emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence, big data integration, and enhanced satellite systems—to improve forecast accuracy and user engagement across West Africa. He reaffirmed NiMet’s readiness to share technical expertise and training resources, pointing to its pioneering work in seasonal climate prediction and its role as a regional training hub.
In line with the ECOWAS Hydromet Initiative, delegates will explore strategies for expanding observational networks, harmonizing data standards under WIGOS/WIS, and mobilizing resources for sustainable service delivery. By the meeting’s close on 22nd May, participants are expected to adopt a set of recommendations aimed at ensuring no country is left behind in achieving the EW4All “early warning for all” targets by 2027.
