The African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development ACMAD Board of Governors has elected the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, as its President.
Anosike’s election took place on September 10, 2026, in Cotonou, Benin, during the 24th Ordinary Session of the ACMAD Board of Governors. The session was held alongside the 22nd African Climate Outlook Forum, ACCOF22.
He will serve as President of the ACMAD Board for four years. His election places Nigeria at the centre of continental efforts to strengthen weather forecasting, climate services and early warning systems.
What the ACMAD Board Oversees
The African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD) is Africa’s continental weather and climate watch institution. It was created in 1985 to improve understanding of atmospheric and climate processes across Africa.
ACMAD collects, analyses and disseminates meteorological and hydrological information. It also provides continental forecasts and early warnings for drought, tropical cyclones and other extreme weather events.
The Centre also supports national meteorological services through training, technical assistance, research and the development of tools for applying weather and climate information. It is a World Meteorological Organisation Regional Climate Centre for Africa.
This role makes the ACMAD Board particularly important as African countries confront rising climate and weather-related risks. Its work supports governments and institutions seeking better information for disaster preparedness, agriculture, water management and other climate-sensitive sectors.
Anosike Takes ACMAD Board Role at Critical Time
As President of the ACMAD Board, Professor Anosike is expected to provide strategic leadership on governance, partnerships and the delivery of effective climate services.
His tenure comes as African countries seek stronger capacity to anticipate and respond to extreme weather events. It also coincides with efforts under the United Nations Early Warnings for All initiative to expand access to timely warnings.
ACMAD provides continental-scale forecasts and early warnings while helping national meteorological and hydrological services strengthen their own capabilities. Its mandate therefore links scientific information directly with disaster preparedness and sustainable development.
For Nigeria, the election strengthens its voice within Africa’s meteorological community. It also provides an opportunity for NiMet to contribute more directly to continental conversations around forecasting, climate resilience and early warning systems.
The development could also deepen cooperation between African meteorological institutions. Stronger collaboration remains essential because weather systems and climate risks frequently cross-national borders.
Nigeria Gains Strategic Meteorological Platform
Anosike’s emergence further reflects Nigeria’s growing role in continental meteorological affairs. Through NiMet, Nigeria provides weather and climate information that supports aviation, agriculture, disaster management and other sectors.
His ACMAD Board leadership could therefore provide a platform for sharing Nigeria’s experience while supporting stronger cooperation among African meteorological services.
The ACMAD Board session also brought together senior officials and institutional partners. They included ACMAD Director-General, Dr Ousmane Ndiaye, and the Vice-President of the ACMAD Board, Dr Adamou Aïssatou Sitta.
Others included African Union Commission Director for Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, Harsen Nyambe, and Benin’s Minister of Living Environment and Transport in charge of Sustainable Development, Georges Alé.
The gathering reviewed progress and considered the strategic direction and governance of the Centre. It also highlighted the importance of partnerships in improving Africa’s access to reliable weather and climate information.
ACMAD Board Leadership Could Strengthen Early Warnings
The significance of the election extends beyond institutional leadership. Reliable forecasts and early warnings can help governments prepare for floods, droughts, storms and other hazards before they escalate.
ACMAD’s mandate includes continental early warnings and medium- to long-range weather and climate predictions. It also supports capacity development, research and the application of meteorology to sustainable development.
Therefore, effective leadership of the ACMAD Board could help strengthen coordination between scientific institutions, governments and development partners.
For Africa, that coordination is increasingly important as climate-related risks place pressure on communities, infrastructure and economies. Better forecasting can improve preparedness while timely warnings can help reduce losses.
Professor Anosike’s four-year tenure will consequently provide Nigeria with an opportunity to contribute to this continental agenda.
