NiMet, Korea Boost AI Forecast Capacity at WMO Session

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has signed a pivotal agreement on Artificial Intelligence weather forecasting with the Korea Meteorological Administration. This strategic partnership was formalised on the sidelines of the seventy-ninth session of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Executive Council, currently ongoing in Geneva, Switzerland.

Director General Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Professor Charles Anosike, led the Nigerian delegation to the high-level global climate session. The WMO Executive Council meeting, which spans June 16 to 20, 2025, also marks the WMO’s 75th anniversary. Themed “Science for Action,” the anniversary highlights the organization’s ambition to drive impactful weather and climate services across all regions.

Vice Administrator Korea Meteorological Administration, Kim Seung Hee, represented the Republic of Korea in the signing ceremony. Both agencies pledged to deepen collaboration in meteorological science through cutting-edge innovations and joint research efforts.

The signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focuses significantly on Artificial Intelligence weather forecasting, a game-changing tool in modern climate science. Through this pact, NiMet aims to upgrade its Information Technology infrastructure, streamline real-time data analysis, and deliver more timely and accurate forecasts to the Nigerian public.

Crucially, the agreement will introduce innovations to NiMet’s existing Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) tool. These upgrades are expected to bolster early warning systems, enhance preparedness for weather disasters, and improve local adaptation efforts across vulnerable communities in Nigeria.

This bilateral effort arrives at a critical time when the global meteorological community is aligning behind digital transformation and climate resilience. During the Executive Council discussions, WMO President Abdullah Al Mandous emphasised the need for thoughtful integration of AI into weather services. He stated that while AI has vast potential, member nations must implement it responsibly, balancing innovation with operational reliability.

The WMO council is currently reviewing vital resolutions. These include plans to extend global early warning coverage, improve greenhouse gas emissions tracking, and support advanced climate modelling frameworks. Such strategies are seen as key to reducing the impacts of increasingly frequent and intense climate events worldwide.

Further discussions during the Geneva event involve regional coordination, particularly within Regional Association II (RA II). The RA II Management Group convened for the first time since its last meeting during RA II-18. Deliberations include a restructured operational framework and hydrology-related projects to advance regional climate readiness.

Equally pressing is the WMO’s Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update (2025–2029), presented during EC-79. It predicts the likelihood of near-record global temperatures in the coming years, raising alarms over the escalating pace of climate change. Countries, including Nigeria, are thus urged to develop stronger climate adaptation policies and invest in science-led risk mitigation systems.

The NiMet-Korea partnership is emblematic of this urgent call to action. It reflects Nigeria’s proactive steps to close technical gaps and modernise its climate forecasting approach. At the same time, it signals a broader commitment to embracing international alliances for improved resilience.

As the WMO Executive Council continues its 79th session in Geneva, collaborations such as this are being viewed as templates for regional and global meteorological progress. Ultimately, this joint move by NiMet and Korea reinforces the transformative role of innovation in safeguarding societies against extreme climate risks.