Nigeria has reinforced its long-standing commitment to regional cooperation and climate resilience as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, received the Director General of the AGRHYMET Regional Centre, Dr Issoufou Baoua, during a high-level courtesy visit to the Ministry. The engagement formed part of the Joint Mission focused on advancing the operationalisation of the Regional Climate Centre for West Africa and the Sahel (RCC-WAS), a strategic platform designed to strengthen climate services and improve evidence-based decision-making across the region.
Dr Baoua arrived in Abuja with a high-profile team comprising senior AGRHYMET officials Abdou Ali and Alhassane Agoli, alongside Bernard Edward Gomez, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Representative for North, Central, and West Africa. Also present were former Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Mansur Bako Matazu, and the current NiMet DG/CEO, Professor Charles Anosike, who accompanied the delegation throughout the mission. The meeting marked a key moment for reinforcing institutional collaboration and Nigeria’s leadership in climate governance across the sub-region.
According to a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the visit centred on strengthening regional cooperation in order to fully operationalise RCC-WAS. The centre is expected to enhance climate service delivery, expand adaptive capacity, and support accurate, science-driven policies for governments, aviation authorities, and disaster management agencies across West Africa and the Sahel. The mission builds on Nigeria’s ongoing climate commitments, particularly through NiMet, which already hosts one of the most active meteorological institutions in the region.
During the meeting, Dr Baoua expressed deep appreciation for the warm reception and Nigeria’s unwavering support to both regional and global climate initiatives. He briefed the Minister on the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between AGRHYMET and NiMet on the operationalisation of RCC-WAS, noting that Nigeria was chosen as the delegation’s first point of call. He further emphasised the crucial role Nigeria plays as the only English-speaking member among the seventeen countries engaged in this climate framework, a region where the Sahel profoundly influences weather patterns, environmental pressures, and socio-economic stability.
Dr Baoua highlighted that the Joint Mission seeks to strengthen institutional partnerships, harmonise regional priorities, identify capacity-building gaps, and set out clear milestones for the full commencement of RCC-WAS. He explained that the MoU with NiMet would accelerate technical work required to operationalise the centre. He also stressed that the initiative continues to depend on donor support and the goodwill of regional champions, adding that AGRHYMET will continue to rely heavily on Nigeria’s leadership to sustain the momentum.
Nigeria’s Regional Cooperation Pedigree
Responding, the Minister welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong commitment to regional cooperation and climate resilience. He noted that Nigeria has consistently demonstrated leadership within regional and global frameworks, particularly in aviation and meteorology. On regional cooperation according to him, “Nigeria is a global player when it comes to regional commitments. We are big players and we do not shy away from our responsibilities. We are still hosting and funding the WMO office in Abuja, and we will continue to support this mission, financially and otherwise.”
Keyamo also commended AGRHYMET and the WMO for their forward-looking role in advancing climate services. He observed that the operationalisation of RCC-WAS would significantly enhance early warning capabilities, which are essential for aviation safety planning, infrastructure protection, agricultural forecasting, and disaster mitigation. He added that improved climate services would offer long-term benefits not only to Nigeria but to the entire West African and Sahelian region, where climate variability continues to exert pressure on communities, economies, and national development strategies.
The visit represents another major step in consolidating Nigeria’s regional cooperation agenda and strengthening partnerships aimed at promoting climate resilience, sustainable development, and improved meteorological services. With Nigeria positioned as a critical hub for regional climate intelligence, the operationalisation of RCC-WAS promises to deliver long-term advantages for aviation, agriculture, environmental management, and cross-border planning across West Africa.
