The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) is hosting the 14th Meeting of ECOWAS Directors of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in Abuja. The event, which started today, Tuesday, 20th May 2025, has drawn key delegates from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Member States. The goal is to foster regional synergy in improving early warning systems collaboration and strengthening disaster risk management efforts.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the three-day meeting, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to climate resilience and regional cooperation. He addressed the devastating impacts of climate change and weather-related disasters on livelihoods and economies in West Africa. “Our shared challenges demand shared solutions,” he stated while officially declaring the meeting open.
The minister called for innovative strategies and increased investment in hydro-meteorological infrastructure across the region. He emphasized that cooperation and unified planning are crucial in mitigating climate extremes, especially as they intensify in frequency and scale.
Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, delivered an address outlining the meeting’s purpose and scope. According to him, the gathering is expected to evaluate the status of meteorological and hydrological services across ECOWAS countries. Prof. Anosike noted that participants will share updates on major regional initiatives, including the Hydromet Programme. These discussions aim to enhance early warning systems collaboration and align ongoing efforts to advance climate resilience.
Sessions scheduled throughout the conference will examine data-sharing frameworks, regional capacity building, and the establishment of strong public–private partnerships. Prof. Anosike further highlighted the need to integrate emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and improved satellite observations. These tools, he said, will boost the accuracy of weather forecasts and increase public engagement across the region.
“NiMet is fully committed to sharing its technical know-how with our neighbors,” Prof. Anosike said. He referenced Nigeria’s leadership in seasonal climate forecasting and the agency’s status as a regional training centre. NiMet’s resources, he added, are open to all ECOWAS partners seeking to build institutional capacity and operational readiness.
Moreover, the meeting is being held in alignment with the ECOWAS Hydromet Initiative. Delegates will work on expanding observational infrastructure, streamlining data standards according to the WIGOS/WIS protocols, and identifying funding opportunities. These efforts are aimed at creating sustainable meteorological and hydrological services throughout West Africa.
The conference will conclude on Thursday, 22nd May 2025. By then, participants are expected to adopt key recommendations that ensure all countries move forward together toward achieving the “Early Warning for All” (EW4All) goals by the year 2027. The overarching ambition remains to close capacity gaps and safeguard communities through timely, reliable climate data and response tools.
This high-level meeting comes at a time when climate change and extreme weather events continue to expose vulnerabilities in disaster preparedness across the subregion. Therefore, enhancing early warning systems collaboration is essential to protect lives, support agriculture, and promote sustainable economic development in West Africa.
