Nigeria joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Meteorological Day 2026, highlighting the importance of weather and climate services in protecting lives and supporting development.
The event took place on March 25 at the headquarters of Nigerian Meteorological Agency in Abuja, bringing together key stakeholders from government, aviation, science, and development sectors.
This year’s theme, “Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow,” focused on how accurate weather observations today help secure lives and economies in the future.
The global celebration, marked every March 23, commemorates the founding of the World Meteorological Organization and stresses the growing importance of climate monitoring worldwide.
In his keynote speech, NiMet Director-General Charles Anosike outlined Nigeria’s efforts to upgrade its meteorological systems for better forecasting and early warnings.
He explained that data gathered from land, air, oceans, and satellites is essential for producing reliable weather forecasts and climate predictions.
Anosike noted that NiMet’s improved systems have supported key sectors such as aviation, agriculture, disaster management, and national planning.
He also revealed that Nigeria has been assisting countries like Liberia, Niger, Somalia, and Burkina Faso in strengthening their weather observation capacity.
The DG emphasized that climate challenges are increasing and cannot be handled by one country alone, calling for stronger partnerships and investment in modern technologies.
Also speaking, Chris Najomo highlighted the strong link between meteorology and aviation safety, stressing the need for accurate weather data to prevent hazards during flights.
Stakeholders, including representatives of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, concluded that more collaboration, funding, and innovation are needed to strengthen climate services and build a safer, more resilient future.
