…Seek Increased Investments
BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have called for increased investment in weather and climate services across Africa, warning that inadequate observation infrastructure is weakening the continent’s ability to predict weather events and protect lives.
NiMet Director-General, Professor Charles Anosike, and WMO President, Dr Abdulla Ahmed Al Mandous, made the call at the opening of the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Alliance for Hydromet Development in Lagos.
The three-day meeting, which began on October 13 at Eko Hotel & Suites, brought together governments, development partners, financial institutions and other stakeholders to identify investment priorities for weather, water and climate services.
Anosike, who is also Nigeria’s Permanent Representative with the WMO, said Africa had the largest basic weather and climate data gaps in the world, accounting for about 30 per cent of the global observation deficit.
He said the continent had only 12.5 per cent of the minimum weather station density recommended by the WMO, while compliance rates stood at seven per cent for surface land stations and nine per cent for upper-air stations across 53 African countries.
He called for greater investment in weather observation infrastructure, remote sensing, data analysis and digital platforms, stressing that governments could not meet the continent’s growing needs through public funding alone.
Anosike also highlighted the importance of reliable weather information to aviation safety, agriculture, maritime operations and disaster risk management.
He said weather forecasts must be translated into practical guidance for individuals, businesses and governments, while early-warning systems should be strengthened to help communities prepare for extreme weather events.
The WMO president urged Nigeria and other African countries to increase investment in meteorological and hydrological services to improve early warnings, protect lives and livelihoods, and support sustainable economic growth.
Al Mandous described the period leading to 2030 as critical to closing capacity gaps in weather and climate services across the continent.
He commended Nigeria for its growing role in regional cooperation, noting that the country had progressed from receiving technical assistance to sharing expertise with other countries.
He cited Nigeria’s support for Burkina Faso as a peer reviewer under the Country Hydromet Assessment initiative as an example of the country’s contribution to strengthening weather and climate services in Africa.
Al Mandous urged governments and development partners to prioritise funding, strengthen institutions, deepen partnerships with key economic sectors and promote regional cooperation.
“Our direction is clear: to turn assessments into investments, investments into lasting capacity, and early warnings into early action that saves lives and livelihoods,” he said.
He stressed that closing the gaps in weather and climate services would require sustained funding and stronger collaboration among governments, development agencies, financial institutions and private-sector operators.
Anosike, meanwhile, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, particularly President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for supporting efforts to strengthen NiMet’s institutional capacity and operational efficiency.
The meeting is expected to help governments and development partners agree on investment priorities and strengthen collaboration towards closing gaps in weather, water and climate services by 2030.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
