NiMet, NASRDA Strengthen Earth Observation for National Development
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) have renewed their commitment to strengthening earth observation systems to drive sustainable national development. Both agencies agreed to deepen collaboration on satellite technology, weather monitoring and scientific innovation to support critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The renewed partnership was announced during a courtesy visit by the Director General and Chief Executive of NASRDA, Dr Mathew Adepoju, to the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, on Thursday, 9 July 2026. The meeting underscored the growing importance of collaboration between the country’s leading scientific institutions in providing accurate and reliable earth system observations.
Prof. Anosike described the partnership as vital to strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to deliver quality meteorological services. He noted that accurate weather and climate information remains essential for protecting lives and property, building resilient communities and supporting informed decision-making across key economic sectors.
“Meteorological observations are critical to national development, safety of lives and property, climate-smart decisions for community resilience and strengthening anticipatory actions. We are also consciously embracing technology, including Artificial Intelligence, to improve service delivery,” Prof. Anosike said.
He assured NASRDA of NiMet’s commitment to reinforcing the long-standing relationship between both agencies. According to him, adopting emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, will improve forecasting accuracy and strengthen service delivery to government institutions, businesses and the public.
Earth Observation
The Director General of NASRDA, Dr Mathew Adepoju, called for stronger collaboration on developing a dedicated meteorological satellite for Nigeria. He said such an initiative would position the country as a continental leader in space weather observation while expanding the nation’s capacity to monitor weather and climate from space.
Adepoju also identified additional areas for collaboration, including meteorological support for the operationalisation of hot-air balloons, joint research projects and knowledge exchange programmes. He stressed that continuous skills development and specialised training would help both organisations build the expertise required to support future scientific and technological advancements.
In addition, both chief executives agreed that greater private sector participation is necessary to strengthen Nigeria’s earth observation ecosystem. They resolved to revisit the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies to ensure it becomes more forward-looking, practical and capable of delivering measurable outcomes.
The planned review of the agreement is expected to accelerate collaborative projects and improve the contribution of both institutions to national socioeconomic development. By combining meteorological expertise with advanced space technology, NiMet and NASRDA aim to provide more reliable data for agriculture, aviation, disaster risk reduction, environmental management and infrastructure planning.
The renewed partnership also reflects Nigeria’s broader commitment to leveraging science, innovation and technology for sustainable growth. Improved Earth observation capabilities will enable better planning, enhance climate resilience and strengthen national preparedness for weather-related hazards.
As both agencies advance plans for satellite development, Artificial Intelligence adoption and stronger institutional cooperation, stakeholders expect the partnership to deliver lasting benefits for government, industry and citizens. The collaboration is also expected to reinforce Nigeria’s position as a regional leader in meteorological and space science while supporting sustainable development through evidence-based decision-making.
