BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recently concluded its eight-year re-accreditation visit to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s (NiMet) Regional Training Centre (RTC) in Oshodi, Lagos, commending the center for its innovation and dedication.
The five-day assessment was led by Dr. Paul Bugeac, the Coordinator of Learning and Development from the WMO Education & Training Office in Geneva, Switzerland.
Reflecting on previous challenges, Dr. Bugeac noted that the WMO had received “very drastic and tough complaints” about NiMet’s RTC, expressing his initial disappointment. “Things were really bad. I am impressed by what I am seeing here now and what I have learned about the RTC in the last couple of months,” he said.
He continued: “It’s good to see dedicated staff taking care of the students’ hostel facilities, cleaning the rooms, and looking after the air conditioning and refrigerators. Having solar panels on all the buildings to ensure uninterrupted power, without relying on the national grid, is commendable.”
He added that “the example of Nigeria’s RTC will be shown to others. I’m impressed with the commitment, trend, innovation, and evolution at Nigeria’s RTC, as well as the new training courses and perspectives being offered.”
Dr. Bugeac affirmed the WMO’s commitment to continued collaboration and praised “the commitment of Nigeria and the Permanent Representative of Nigeria with WMO, Professor Anosike.”
He expressed his appreciation to NiMet’s DG/CEO, Professor Charles Anosike, for the team’s warm hospitality and requested timely submission of outstanding documents to finalize the re-accreditation.
“We need to have all the documents as soon as possible because the report needs to be written and discussed, then submitted to the Capacity Development Panel to promote at the next Executive Council meeting in June 2025,” Dr. Bugeac explained.
In response, Professor Anosike, also the Permanent Representative of Nigeria with the WMO, expressed his gratitude to Dr. Bugeac for acknowledging NiMet’s progress. “I am happy to hear that what is outstanding for our re-accreditation is just documentation,” he said.
“We have brilliant, hardworking meteorologists and scientists at NiMet. Documentation will not be a problem. We have achieved a great deal in the four months leading up to this WMO re-accreditation visit.
Our institution now holds dual recognition, being nationally accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to offer Diploma courses in related disciplines.”
Professor Anosike credited these advancements to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, describing him as “a courageous leader” committed to the institution’s transformation.
“He understands that meteorology is the foundation that guides safety protocols and decision-making in the nation”.
“That’s why he traveled to Geneva to meet the WMO Secretary-General. He asked me to extend his gratitude to you and to take this important message back to the Secretary-General. I assure you that we will ensure RTC becomes viable, and we will study your reports closely and respond positively,” Anosike said
