The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has received the AfriGEO Weather, Climate and Early Warning Services Award for its contribution to weather and climate services in Nigeria. The award recognises the Agency’s work in early warning, climate resilience and the use of Earth observation to support decision-making. The honour was presented during the 10th AfriGEO Gala Dinner in Abuja on October 7, 2026.
Director-General/CEO of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, received the award from Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Prof. Matthew Olumide Adepoju. The presentation formed part of activities marking the 10th AfriGEO Symposium, held in Abuja from October 5 to 8 under the theme, “Earth Observations for a Resilient Africa.”
AfriGEO strengthens Africa’s Earth observation capacity
AfriGEO, the African Group on Earth Observations, is a continental initiative within the Group on Earth Observations (GEO). It provides a coordination framework for African countries and organisations to collaborate on Earth observation applications and share knowledge, data and capabilities. The initiative aims to strengthen Africa’s ability to produce, manage and use Earth observation information for development and resilience.
The platform currently comprises 33 African member states and more than 15 participating organisations, according to the AfriGEO Secretariat. Its work covers areas including agriculture, food security, water resources, sustainable urban development, land management, disaster risk reduction and climate-related challenges.
The 2026 symposium therefore provided an important setting for discussions on how Earth observation can deliver practical solutions. It brought together governments, scientists, development partners, private-sector stakeholders and practitioners focused on strengthening Africa’s use of Earth intelligence. The official programme identified climate and resilience, policy and decision-making, land and natural resources, the space economy, and biodiversity as key areas.
NiMet award highlights weather and climate services
For NiMet, the recognition comes as the Agency continues to expand the delivery of weather and climate information for national development. Its statutory responsibilities include observing, processing and disseminating meteorological information while providing forecasts that support aviation, agriculture, disaster management and other sectors.
NiMet has also continued strengthening observation systems and satellite-based data capabilities. According to the Agency, these systems support weather forecasting, early warnings, aviation safety, agriculture, disaster risk reduction and broader national development. Such applications demonstrate how Earth observation can move beyond scientific research into services that directly support communities and institutions.
The award also aligns with the wider objectives of AfriGEO, which seeks to improve the uptake of Earth observation in decision-making while encouraging collaboration and data sharing across the continent. GEO describes AfriGEO as a regional mechanism for strengthening Earth observation applications and capacities across Africa.
AfriGEO platform supports climate resilience
Climate resilience remains an increasingly important area for Earth observation across Africa. Satellite observations, meteorological measurements and geospatial information can provide decision-makers with timely information about changing environmental conditions. This information can support planning for flooding, drought, agriculture, water management and other climate-related risks.
The 10th AfriGEO Symposium reinforced that direction by focusing on practical applications of Earth observation. Its organisers said the event was designed to strengthen Africa’s collective capacity to use Earth observation for resilience, while supporting the AfriGEO Implementation Plan 2026-2036.
For Nigeria, NiMet’s participation places its weather and climate services within this broader continental framework. The Agency’s continued development of timely and actionable climate information can support government planning while strengthening cooperation with other African institutions working on shared environmental challenges.
NiMet said it remains committed to advancing weather, climate and Earth observation information to strengthen early warning, support evidence-based decisions and enhance climate resilience. The Agency also reaffirmed its intention to continue supporting Nigeria’s climate-resilience agenda through innovation, partnerships and timely climate information.
