By Babatunde Ajayi
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet’s air quality monitoring stations nationwide are in a deplorable state, jeopardizing the agency’s ability to fulfill its critical mandate effectively according to reports of a recent audit. It is an agency charged with the responsibility to advise the Federal Government on all aspects of meteorology. NiMet is tasked to project, prepare and interpret government policy in the field of meteorology; and to issue weather (and climate) forecasts for the safe operations of aircrafts, ocean going vessels and oil rigs. The agency is also responsible for monitoring air quality and providing information to support environmental policies and public health initiatives across the country.
However, report from a nationwide audit of NiMet’s air quality monitoring stations published at nimet.gov.ng has revealed troubling if not scandalous findings. The audit, which was commissioned in February 2024 by NiMet management headed by the DG/CEO, Prof. Charles Anosike, ultimately concluded that “NiMet’s air quality monitoring stations nationwide are in a deplorable state, jeopardizing the agency’s ability to fulfill its critical mandate effectively.”
The comprehensive audit exercise aimed to evaluate the operational status and condition of seven critical air quality monitoring stations, strategically located across Nigeria in Sokoto, Kano, Maiduguri, Yola, Enugu, Lagos, and Abuja. These stations, representing a substantial financial investment by NiMet, play a pivotal role in monitoring air quality and providing essential data for supporting environmental policies and public health initiatives nationwide.
Furthermore, Mrs. Olumide Olaniyan, the General Manager of NiMet’s Air Quality Monitoring Unit, led the audit team. Subsequently, she reported that the findings painted a profoundly concerning picture. The audit unveiled the deplorable state of most stations, with notable exceptions being Sokoto, which was recently installed, and Yola, where installation is still ongoing.
Despite these exceptions, the majority of the stations were found to be in a deteriorated state. This condition severely impacts their operational effectiveness. Consequently, the findings from the audit underscore the urgent need for improvements to ensure these facilities meet their intended purpose.
Moreover, Sokoto’s recent installation stands out positively, while Yola’s ongoing installation indicates some progress. However, these isolated cases do not diminish the overall need for significant upgrades across the network.
The audit highlights the critical need for addressing these issues promptly to restore the stations’ functionality. Evaluating their condition is essential for understanding their role in supporting environmental and public health policies effectively.
In summary, the audit’s focus on these seven facilities reveals the extent of necessary improvements. It emphasizes the importance of revitalizing these stations to ensure they continue to provide reliable data for effective air quality monitoring.
The audit revealed that the current condition of the remaining five facilities is alarmingly appalling, jeopardizing their ability to fulfill their intended purpose effectively. Furthermore, it shed light on the concerning reality that the air quality monitoring stations had not received the necessary attention and resources over the years by the past managements.
The lack of proactive maintenance and resource allocation has hindered the stations’ ability to operate at their full potential, thereby limiting the agency’s capacity to effectively safeguard public health.
For example, the report faults the contractor at the Kano station for failing to complete the installation more than five years after the contract was awarded. As a result, the contractor has not officially handed over the air quality station to NiMet because the job remains unfinished.
The Enugu station which became functional after complete installation in 2013 worked till 2015. All MSS international/ MSA gas analyzers which measured CO, NO2, SO2 and PM10 and wind sensor were carried away by the contractor in January 2019 for servicing, repairs and upgrade, but never returned till date.
The report noted issues like ill-conceived contracts, lack of contractor compliance, maintenance capability, and abandoned air quality stations. Professor Charles Anosike, DG/CEO of NiMet, emphasized the importance of the audit for firsthand knowledge of the agency’s equipment. He mentioned that the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, SAN, mandated strict safety compliance within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The audit’s findings, though shocking, will guide NiMet’s management in determining where to channel resources most effectively. Furthermore, it highlighted unreliable power supply as a significant challenge affecting many of NiMet’s air quality monitoring stations.
This has resulted in the instruments being highly susceptible to frequent malfunctions and breakdowns, due power outage. The air quality monitoring stations have faced significant challenges due to unreliable power supply and inadequate backup systems. Persistent power instability and ineffective backup systems have disrupted station operations, hindering data collection and transmission capabilities.
Power-related issues have caused significant damage to the sensitive monitoring equipment, leaving it vulnerable to power supply disruptions. The inadequate backup power systems have left stations defenseless, unable to handle the consequences of power supply failures. Consequently, the air quality monitoring network faces extended downtimes and increased equipment failure risks, compromising data collection reliability.
Addressing these power-related challenges is crucial to ensuring the effective and uninterrupted functioning of the air quality monitoring system.
The report presents a damning picture of NiMet’s air quality monitoring stations, yet current management must address these significant challenges.
Despite previous management oversights, the present team needs to adopt a forward-looking approach to resolve the air-quality facilities’ issues.
By noting the challenges identified in the audit and implementing a comprehensive strategy to revitalize and strengthen the air quality monitoring network, the agency can regain its ability to provide reliable and accurate data for evidence-based environmental policies and contribute to sustainable development initiatives across the nation.
The audit report urges NiMet’s leadership to prioritize restoring and modernizing facilities, ensuring previous investments are not wasted. Through proactive maintenance, resource allocation, and stakeholder collaboration, NiMet can overcome obstacles and reaffirm its critical environmental protection role. The report acknowledges that NiMet’s new management shows strong interest in improving Nigeria’s air quality monitoring network’s deplorable state. DG/CEO Prof. Charles Anosike and the management team, only eight months in office, have initiated equipment upgrades and replacements.
These steps by NiMet’s leadership aim to guarantee reliable and comprehensive air quality data availability across the network.
To support management’s efforts, the agency requires increased funding from relevant authorities to support equipment procurement, maintenance, and capacity-building initiatives. It is noteworthy that the present management has already started implementing some of the recommendations of the audit team.
The report recommends comprehensive training programs for personnel to enhance their skills in air quality monitoring. The agency is already doing this. In July 2024, NiMet organized a training program for its Air Quality Monitoring Unit staff focused on air quality monitoring. The training at the WMO Regional Training Centre, Lagos, covered modern air quality monitoring techniques, including satellite and in-situ data use.
Participants learned to leverage data from Reference Grade Monitors and low-cost sensors for effective air quality monitoring and analysis.
NiMet’s management plans to implement the audit recommendations, which will help the agency rebuild a reliable air quality monitoring network. Implementing the audit recommendations will enable NiMet to fulfill its mandate and support evidence-based policymaking across Nigeria. A robust air quality monitoring network will allow NiMet to contribute to a healthier, more sustainable environment for all Nigerians.
Babatunde Ajayi, a climate and environmental activist wrote from Lagos.
