Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has been elected President of the ECOWAS Committee of Directors of National Hydrological and Meteorological Services (NMHSs). This development reaffirms how Nigeria strengthens hydromet leadership in West Africa through regional engagement and institutional excellence.
Professor Anosike’s election was confirmed during the Committee’s 14th Meeting, which held in Abuja, Nigeria, from May 20 to 22, 2025. The ECOWAS Committee consists of leaders from national hydrological and meteorological services across West Africa. It plays a key role in promoting regional coordination in weather, climate, and water-related services.
A significant objective of the Committee is to advance early warning systems, disaster risk management, and improved climate resilience across member states. Professor Anosike’s new leadership position reflects Nigeria’s strategic prominence in West Africa’s environmental governance landscape.
While addressing delegates, Professor Anosike pledged full commitment to strengthening collaborative action across the sub-region.
“As we confront the challenges of climate change, our collective action is crucial. I am honoured to lead this Committee at such a pivotal time,” he said.
The Abuja meeting welcomed representatives from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Cape Verde (virtually). Also present were key partners such as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), AGRHYMET, ACMAD, WASCAL, the ECOWAS Commission, the World Bank, and MOWCA.
The event was officially declared open by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. He was joined by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ibrahim Kana. Both highlighted the relevance of hydrometeorological coordination in shaping sustainable climate policy across the region.
A major item discussed was the “Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL)” programme, which targets full implementation across ECOWAS by the year 2027. The initiative is aimed at protecting lives and property by ensuring that vulnerable communities receive timely weather alerts and forecasts.
Professor Anosike, who also serves as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the WMO, continues to lead NiMet with a focus on science-based innovation and institutional development. His emergence as ECOWAS NMHS Committee President reinforces this trajectory of progress.
Back home, NiMet is simultaneously advancing its internal systems by investing in capacity development for its staff. The agency recently concluded a nation-wide training titled “Ethics and Performance Management,” which ran from May 15 to 21, 2025.
This strategic training targeted personnel on Grade Levels 10 to 12. According to data provided by the agency, a total of 642 staff participated in the exercise, which was conducted across all six geopolitical zones.
In the Enugu Zone, covering states such as Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, 92 participants were recorded. Keffi Zone, which includes Abuja, Benue, and Kaduna, had 302 participants—the highest number. Kano Zone had 117 participants, Lagos Zone recorded 89, while Bauchi Zone had 42.
Director of Human Resource Management and Administration, Dr. Nasiru Sani, explained the importance of the programme.
“This two-day training is part of our renewed human capital development initiative. Continuous training and retraining of our staff lead to increased motivation and productivity,” he said.
He noted that the focus is not only on technical skill enhancement but also on fostering ethical excellence and accountability within the agency. The agency’s leadership believes that investing in people yields long-term institutional gains.
This dual approach—regional leadership through Professor Anosike’s ECOWAS role and internal development through staff training—shows that Nigeria strengthens hydromet leadership both externally and domestically.
As environmental challenges grow more complex, Nigeria’s position within West Africa’s climate ecosystem becomes increasingly vital. Through strategic coordination and robust workforce capacity building, the country is setting the pace for sustainable hydromet services in the region.
