BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) will release its highly anticipated 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) on February 4, a document that provides critical insights and guidance for climate-sensitive sectors across the country.
The theme this year is ‘The Role of Early Warnings towards a Climate Resilient Aviation Industry for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development’.
NiMet predicts and publishes the expected annual pattern of climatic variables such as rainfall and temperature in Nigeria in the first quarter of each year.
This is in pursuance of its mandate of advising the Government and the public on all aspects of weather, climate, and water-related matters.
According to the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike; “The Seasonal Climate Prediction highlights vital Weather and Climate information that may affect socio-economic activities in the following sectors during the year: Agriculture, Aviation, Disaster Risk Management, Health, Oil & Gas, Telecommunication, Tourism, Transport (Water and Land), Power (hydro and renewable), Water Resources Management etc”.
“The socioeconomic implications of the expected rainfall and temperature patterns for some sectors of the economy are also presented in the publication”, Professor Anosike concluded.
The 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document is set to provide comprehensive and detailed climate information critical for planning and decision-making across various sectors.
Key highlights of the SCP include the predicted onset and cessation dates of the rainy season, the length of the cropping season, and the total amount of rainfall expected across all 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria.
Additionally, the document offers valuable temperature projections for the January-to-May period and includes vigilance forecasts for malaria and meningitis, underscoring its relevance to public health planning.
The SCP is a national resource of immense significance, offering data that informs policy, agricultural planning, and climate resilience strategies. Its public presentation is a major event, drawing a diverse audience from across the public and private sectors.
Guests typically include government officials, development partners, non-governmental organizations, members of the diplomatic community, and key stakeholders such as farmers’ associations.
This broad participation reflects the critical role of the SCP in fostering collaboration and driving informed actions to address climate-related challenges in Nigeria.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, will lead the unveiling of the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), presenting the comprehensive publication alongside a summarized version designed for policymakers.
To ensure widespread accessibility, the document will also be introduced in translations across three major Nigerian languages.
In addition to the SCP, Mr. Keyamo will present the State of the Climate in Nigeria report, a detailed review of the country’s recent climatic trends and their impact on key sectors such as agriculture, health, and infrastructure.
The event highlights the government’s dedication to promoting climate awareness and equipping stakeholders with actionable insights for sustainable planning and development.
The inclusion of multilingual translations explains a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that the SCP serves as a practical tool for decision-making at both local and national levels.
