BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
From the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, comes bold assurances of Nigeria’s staunch commitment to regional cooperation and climate resilience efforts in West Africa and the Sahel.
He made this known while receiving the Director General of the AGRHYMET Regional Centre, Dr. Issoufou Baoua, who led a high-level delegation to the Ministry as part of a Joint Mission focused on the operationalization of the Regional Climate Centre for West Africa and the Sahel (RCC-WAS).
According to Tunde Moshood, the Special Adviser On Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Baoua was accompanied by senior officials, including Abdou Ali of AGRHYMET; Alhassane Agoli; Bernard Edward Gomez, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Representative for North, Central and West Africa; and former Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu.
The mission was jointly undertaken with the current Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike.
Discussions during the visit centred on strengthening collaboration toward the full operationalization of RCC-WAS, a strategic regional initiative designed to enhance climate services, boost adaptive capacity, and support evidence-based decision-making across West Africa and the Sahel.
In his remarks, Dr. Baoua expressed deep appreciation to the Minister for the warm reception and Nigeria’s consistent support for regional and global climate initiatives.
He briefed the Minister on the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AGRHYMET and NiMet on the operationalization of RCC-WAS, noting that Nigeria was the first stop of the joint mission.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s unique position as the only English-speaking country among the 17 member states involved, within a region where the Sahel remains critically important.
Dr. Baoua outlined the core objectives of the mission, which include strengthening institutional partnerships, aligning regional priorities, identifying capacity-building gaps, and establishing clear milestones to ensure the effective take-off of RCC-WAS.
He stressed that the MoU with NiMet would accelerate the commencement of the regional centre, adding that the mission relies significantly on donor support and goodwill, as well as Nigeria’s sustained leadership.
Responding, the Minister welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to regional cooperation and climate resilience initiatives. “Nigeria is a global player when it comes to regional commitments. We are big players and we do not shy away from our responsibilities,” he said.
He further noted that Nigeria continues to host and fund the WMO office in Abuja and would maintain its support for the mission, both financially and otherwise.
The Minister commended AGRHYMET and WMO for their leadership in advancing climate services in the region, noting that the operationalization of RCC-WAS would significantly strengthen early warning systems, aviation safety planning, and climate research, with far-reaching benefits for Nigeria and the wider West African sub-region.
The visit marks another strategic milestone in deepening Nigeria’s collaboration with regional and international partners in promoting climate resilience, sustainable development, and improved meteorological services.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
