BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has secured ISO 9001:2015 certification for its aeronautical meteorological services at Yola, Osubi and Owerri airports, strengthening efforts to improve aviation weather services and safety standards across the country.
The certification followed a successful third-party audit conducted by Certech Inc. Canada between July 20 and 23, 2026, covering NiMet’s products and services provided to airlines and other aviation stakeholders at the three airports.
The development is in line with the directive of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, to the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike, to ensure strict compliance with safety regulations and sustain improvements in Nigeria’s ratings with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
According to NiMet, the audit found that its services at the three airports conformed to the requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 quality management standard.
In a letter dated July 26, 2026, and addressed to Anosike, Certech Lead Auditor and Director, Frank Strohmeier, said the objectives of the surveillance audit were achieved.
“The audit objectives for the surveillance audit were achieved. A systematic process audit was performed with emphasis on risks and objectives per ISO 9001:2015,” Strohmeier stated.
Following the audit, Certech issued a revised certificate confirming that “the Nigerian Meteorological Agency quality management system conforms to the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 for the provision of meteorological services to the aviation industry.”
The latest certification is significant because Yola, Osubi and Owerri airports were being subjected to an ISO 9001:2015 certification audit for the first time.
NiMet said the certification forms part of its broader effort to standardise its operations, strengthen quality control and ensure that aviation operators receive reliable and internationally compliant meteorological information.
The agency has also been recertified under the ISO 9001:2015 standard for its aeronautical meteorological services at major international airports, including Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu; and Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
With the latest additions, NiMet’s revised ISO 9001:2015 certification now covers eight Nigerian international airports, namely Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu; Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa; Yola Modibbo Adama International Airport; Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Owerri; and Osubi Airport.
The certification is valid for three years, with annual surveillance and maintenance audits required to ensure continued compliance before the next recertification exercise in 2029.
Speaking on the achievement, Anosike said the agency would not rest on the certification but would continue to improve its standards across its operational locations.
“We are excited about this. Our Quality Management System (QMS) team led by Rotimi Adenubi have been working round the clock to achieve this feat. We are not stopping here as management is focused on overall improvement of standards at all our operational locations,” he said.
Aeronautical meteorological services are critical to safe and efficient flight operations as airlines, pilots, airports and air traffic management authorities rely on accurate weather information for flight planning, take-off, landing and other operational decisions.
NiMet’s continued expansion of ISO-certified services therefore provides an additional framework for ensuring consistency, risk management and quality control in the weather information supplied to the aviation industry.
The agency said the achievement further demonstrates its commitment to meeting international standards and supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to improve aviation safety and Nigeria’s standing in global aviation and meteorological assessments.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
