BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Professor Charles Anosike, has been honoured with the 2026 Nigerian Educational Excellence Award in recognition of his leadership and contributions to advancing meteorology-based education, research, and professional training across Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
The award was presented on Monday at the Faculty of Education of Federal University Oye-Ekiti during a ceremony that celebrated individuals and institutions driving educational development through innovation, research, and public service.
Anosike, who was represented at the event by NiMet’s Director of Weather Forecasting Services, Professor Vincent
Weli, described the honour as a reflection of the agency’s growing commitment to knowledge development, climate literacy, and scientific innovation in Nigeria.
He said the recognition underscored the importance of integrating meteorological science into national education and development planning.
“As the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), I am privileged to lead an organisation whose impact stretches beyond weather forecasting into the heart of our nation’s educational development,” Anosike stated.
“NiMet has consistently partnered with educational institutions to provide curriculum support, hands-on meteorological training, and access to critical climate data.
These efforts empower students and educators alike, equipping them with practical tools for research, learning, and sustainable development.
“From hosting annual climate workshops to integrating meteorological modules into university programmes, NiMet’s contributions have strengthened the bridge between science and society.”
The NiMet boss, who also serves as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the World Meteorological Organization, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to investing in the next generation of climate scientists, researchers, and weather experts capable of responding to the growing challenges posed by climate change and environmental instability.
According to him, the award would further inspire the agency to deepen collaborations with universities, research institutions, and training centres across the country.
“Today’s recognition inspires us to deepen these partnerships and ensure that meteorological knowledge remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s educational advancement,” he added.
The event also highlighted the expanding role of meteorological science in agriculture, disaster management, aviation safety, environmental planning, and climate resilience, sectors increasingly dependent on accurate weather forecasting and scientific data.
Speaking earlier at the ceremony, Professor Weli said the award was not merely in recognition of technical achievements in weather forecasting, but also an acknowledgement of Anosike’s deliberate efforts to transform meteorological science into a practical educational tool for students, researchers, and young professionals.
“While NiMet is a science and service institution, Professor Anosike’s work has advanced education in Nigeria by turning meteorological science into learning, training, and capacity that reaches classrooms, universities, and young professionals across the country,” Weli said.
He noted that under Anosike’s leadership, NiMet had strengthened partnerships with tertiary institutions to integrate operational weather data into academic curricula in meteorology, geography, agriculture, and environmental sciences.
According to him, the agency has also intensified the training of young meteorologists and technical personnel on modern forecasting systems, impact-based warning tools, and climate data analysis techniques.
Weli stressed that such initiatives were critical at a time when climate change impacts were becoming more severe and unpredictable.
“He has prioritised the training of young meteorologists and technicians on modern forecasting tools, data analysis, and impact-based warning systems, ensuring that the next generation of Nigerian scientists is equipped for a climate that is changing faster than textbooks,” he said.
The NiMet forecasting chief further noted that Anosike’s commitment to open data access and effective public communication had transformed the agency’s Seasonal Climate Prediction and Daily Weather Outlook publications into valuable learning resources for lecturers, researchers, and students studying climate patterns and environmental trends in Nigeria.
“His insistence on open data access and clear public communication has also turned NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction and daily Weather Outlook into practical teaching tools used by lecturers, researchers, and students to understand real-world climate dynamics in the Nigerian context,” Weli stated.
He added that the recognition reflected Anosike’s broader philosophy that education and scientific knowledge remain essential tools for national development and resilience.
“This award recognizes more than technical innovation; it recognizes Prof. Anosike’s belief that education is the bridge between scientific knowledge and national resilience.
“By embedding training, mentorship, and research collaboration into NiMet’s core mandate, he has shown that a public agency can function as both a service provider and an educational partner,” Weli concluded.
Weli attended the event alongside NiMet’s Director of Legal Services, Barrister Shola Gabriel, and the Special Assistant on General Services to the Director-General, Dr. Emmanuel Uket.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
