Nigeria’s Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has sought operational support from the World Meteorological Organisation to boost the capabilities of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.
The minister made the request during a visit to the WMO Secretary-General, Prof. Andrea Saulo, in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday.
Keyamo, accompanied by NiMet Director-General Prof. Charles Anosike, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Abiodun Adejola, and other technical staff, emphasized the need for capacity building, particularly for Aeronautical Meteorological Personnel in Nigeria.
He also sought WMO’s assistance in launching a national roadmap for the United Nations’ Early-Warnings-for-All initiative and enhancing Digital Climate Advisory Services for various sectors in Nigeria.
“Amongst other issues, we tabled requests before the WMO, including training opportunities for Aeronautical Meteorological Personnel in Nigeria and support for launching a national roadmap for the Early-Warnings-for-All initiative by the United Nations,” Keyamo said in a post on his X handle.
He further highlighted the need for increased WMO support to enable NiMet to host the Numerical Weather Prediction Regional Centre of Excellence.
He noted that Nigeria had already been offering technical assistance to countries such as Liberia and Sierra Leone in this regard.
“We also requested support for NiMet in implementing Digital Climate Advisory Services for sectoral activities in Nigeria,” he added.
In response, WMO Secretary-General Prof. Andrea Saulo praised Nigeria’s role in fostering meteorological development in Africa, ensuring that no country is left behind.
She acknowledged the Nigerian government’s ongoing support for NiMet, stressing the importance of such backing in resource mobilization, improving early warning systems, and enhancing service delivery.
“Considering the strategic importance of Nigeria to the development of meteorological services, WMO remains committed to supporting the country in these endeavors,” Saulo said.
The WMO Secretary-General also reaffirmed her support for regional meteorological and climate change centers, pledging continued collaboration with Nigeria.
