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Tag: NIMET

  • NiMet alerts 19 states of impending heat stress

    NiMet alerts 19 states of impending heat stress

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has alerted residents of 19 states, the southeast and coastal areas of impending heat stress.

    The states that would be mostly affected, according to the agency, are; north-central and eastern states; Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Cross River, and FCT.

    Other vulnerable regions are the southwest, coastal areas, Taraba, Adamawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Sokoto.

    The heat stress warning issued by the agency on Tuesday morning shows that the rising temperatures and high humidity levels over the next three to four days may cause thermal discomfort across several regions.

    The potential health risks, according to the agency, include fatigue and irritability, reduced focus and motor skills and lower productivity.

    Read Also: NiMet boss Anosike tours Northwest zonal office facilities

    The agency advised residents in the affected regions to stay safe.

    “Stay cool by using fans, air conditioning, or shaded spaces and dress light by wearing breathable clothing.

    “Drink plenty of water, avoid peak sun hours (12 PM – 3 PM). VU Use sun protection like hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

  • Why FCT, Niger, Kogi, are very hot – NiMet

    Why FCT, Niger, Kogi, are very hot – NiMet

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has given reasons for the high temperature experienced by residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger, Kogi and few other states.

    The current maximum temperature in the listed states is 40°C, and the minimum is 23°C.

    The Seasonal Climate Prediction released last month by the agency shows that most of the northern and central states would record day-time temperatures of 37°C to 40°C, while parts of Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Plateau in the North and Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, part of Cross River and Delta States are expected to record temperatures of 34°C to 37°C this month.

    The agency, while attributing the high temperature to climate change, urged for a lifestyle switch.

    Residents in the states experiencing high temperatures have also been advised to avoid exposure to direct sunlight between 12 pm and 3 pm.

    There are also indications that 2025 may be hotter than 2024, which was described as the hottest year.

    The Director of Weather Services at NiMet, Prof. Vincent Weli, disclosed this to The Nation on Monday in a telephone chat.

    He said, “Everything is embedded in the climate change theory. Every experience we are having now is a result of climate change. The heat, in general, is because of climate change.

    “Abuja, Lokoja, and Minna are located within the same ecological zone, and these towns share the same weather pattern. Whatever happens to Lokoja will affect Minna and Abuja because they are in the same route of the flow of wind and also lie within the same climatic zone. Also, these towns have the same vegetation pattern.

    “So, since they are within the same climatic belt, everything that affects Minna, FCT, will affect Lokoja accordingly. The heat is affecting everywhere, not just these towns mentioned. We said last year was the hottest in the history of the earth, but this year is already trying to beat it to become the hottest.

    Read Also: NiMet boss Anosike tours Northwest zonal office facilities

    “So, as the year increases, it’s obvious that we are going to have higher temperatures. I don’t know where we are headed with this trend, but something needs to be done to reverse the trend.”

    On how the trend can be reversed, Prof Weli said: “What can reverse the trend is for us to encourage every activity of man that will reduce the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere such as electric cars, solar power and planting of trees.

    “These will be other sources of energy other than the use of diesel and petrol and other hydrocarbon compounds that we use as a source of power. Also, we should plant more trees to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The more we plant trees, the more we remove carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the more we increase the oxygen”.

    On what should be done by residents of the states with high temperatures, Prof. Weli said: “In order not to experience what we call heat stroke, people should drink more water often, keep themselves off the direct impact of sunlight between 12 pm and 3 pm. If people do not expose their bodies to the direct impact of sunlight, it will reduce water loss from the system.

    “So, people should drink more water than necessary. Otherwise, their systems will be dehydrated, and that will cause secondary health issues”.

  • NiMet DG Anosike tours northwest zonal office facilities

    NiMet DG Anosike tours northwest zonal office facilities

    In continuation of his nationwide tour of facilities of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), to ascertain firsthand the state of equipment and facilities and interact with agency staff, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Prof. Charles Anosike, on Tuesday, 4th March 2025, began a tour of the Northwest zonal headquarters. 

    On arrival at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Zonal Headquarters of the agency, Prof. Anosike and his team were met by the Meteorological Manager, Adewara Hassan, Mr Banky Jonathan, the State Meteorological Inspector (SMI), and other members of staff. 

    Prof. Anosike afterward undertook a tour of NiMet’s critical assets needed to keep maintaining aviation safety, including the METEO station located at the airport’s tarmac area, the pilot briefing rooms at both the domestic and international wings of the airport and other facilities. 

    During an interactive session with the staff, Prof. Anosike gave them assurances of the continued support of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. SAN, and His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

    “I am impressed with what we have seen during our tour. The Northwest zonal office of NiMet is well organized, even though many of our instruments as observed are not working due to lack of transparency in documentation, vandalization and in some cases sabotage. I thank our scientists, observers, forecasters, engineers, and all the staff working in the region for their dedication and commitment despite noted challenges”.

    Continuing, Professor Anosike charged the staff to ensure that equipment and other facilities under their care are optimally protected and maintained. 

    “Meteorology is the foundation of aviation safety protocols. Aviation can never be safe if meteorology services are not being done optimally. Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, has a special status as a flight information region. 

    “We have to ensure that the investments government is making in replacing obsolete and damaged equipment are protected. We have to hold our contractors more accountable and ensure that the equipment they are supplying and installing meets the standards and specifications and that the contractors carry out the contracted training of our staff on the use of such equipment. The era of installing equipment without training and then the contractor disappearing is over. We need our staff in the regions to enforce this”. 

    Read Also: NiMet, WOFAN plan to reduce climate change impact on farmers

    Concluding, Prof. Anosike assured the staff that management is working hard to improve staff welfare and that certain approvals in that regard have already been secured from the federal government. 

    Prof. Anosike’s entourage included Engr. Abdulkareem Hamid Olayinka, Director of Engineering and Technical Services, Prof. Vincent Weli, Director of Weather Forecasting Services and Cyprian Okpalaku, the Special Adviser to the DG/CEO of NiMet on Information Communications Technology (ICT), and Dr. Haruna Zakari, Technical Assistant to the DG/CEO of NiMet.

    Photo Story: Prof. Charles Anosike (Middle), Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), surrounded by some officials of the agency during the inspection of facilities of the agency at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Zonal Headquarters Kano of the agency in Kano on Wednesday, 5th March 2025.

  • NiMet, WOFAN plan to reduce climate change impact on farmers

    NiMet, WOFAN plan to reduce climate change impact on farmers

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) are working on strategies to mitigate the impact of climate disasters on Nigerian farmers.

    They discussed the strategies at a meeting in the office of the agency’s Director General of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, yesterday in Abuja.

    Anosike hailed WOFAN for pursuing the cause of women farmers across the country.

    He said: “I commend WOFAN for the amazing work they have done over the years since 1993. With a network of close to 700,000 farmers and their various community-based agricultural projects, including training of agricultural extension workers, I consider the partnership between WOFAN and NiMet as one of my most important achievements because of the potential positive impact it would have on agricultural yield in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Tinubu’s administration not skewing road projects to South — Umahi

    “We are highly dependent on rain-fed agriculture in Nigeria. Our work at NiMet won’t be complete if our products and information are not passed to the farmers and other end users. With this partnership, we can meet the farmers before the onset of the rains to guide them properly on how to respond, reduce damages, reduce and manage pests, and also reduce illnesses.

    “We would also have the opportunity through interacting with the farmers to receive feedback from them on the impact of our weather information on their yields.”

    WOFAN Founder, Hajia Salamatu Garba, praised Prof. Anosike and the NiMet team for their consistency in releasing weather and climate information to the public.

    She said the organisation has always relied on climate information from NiMet in addressing climate-smart related issues.

    “We have always received NiMet data from other sources but with this partnership, we will have direct access,” Garba said.

    Both organisations are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to guide the partnership.

  • NiMet, WOFAN strategise to reduce climate impact on farmers 

    NiMet, WOFAN strategise to reduce climate impact on farmers 

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), and the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), have discussed strategies to mitigate the impact of climate disasters on Nigerian farmers. 

    Speaking at a meeting in his office on Monday, the Director General of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike while lauding WOFAN’s work, said: “I commend WOFAN for the amazing work they have done over the years since 1993. With a network of close to 700,000 farmers and their various community-based agricultural projects including training of agricultural extension workers, I consider the partnership between WOFAN and NiMet as one of my most important achievements because of the potential positive impact it would have on agricultural yield in Nigeria”. 

    “We are highly dependent on rain-fed agriculture in Nigeria. Our work at NiMet won’t be complete If our products and information are not passed to the farmers and other end users. With this partnership, we can meet the farmers before the onset of the rains to guide them properly on how to respond, reduce damages, reduce and manage pests, and also reduce illnesses.

    Read Also: Reps extends deadline for submission of memoranda on state, LG creation

    “We would also have the opportunity through interacting with the farmers to receive feedback from them on the impact of our weather information on their yields”.

    The founder of WOFAN, Hajia Salamatu Garba commended Prof. Anosike and the NiMet team for their consistency in releasing weather and climate information to the public.

    She noted that WOFAN has always relied on climate information from NiMet in addressing climate-smart related issues. “We have always received NiMet data from other sources but with this partnership, we will have direct access”.

    Both organizations are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding to guide the partnership.

  • NiMet partners CARE to foster sustainable development in Nigeria

    NiMet partners CARE to foster sustainable development in Nigeria

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE) in Nigeria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on supporting contingency planning and the use of early warning systems.

    The partnership is focused on sustainable agricultural and food systems, health and nutrition, livelihoods and economic development, as well as humanitarian risk reduction through adaptation to climate change in designated States of Nigeria. 

    The collaboration between the duo is aimed at promoting sustainable development and interventions in Nigeria and creating a stronger policy and financing environment for climate programming and systems that uphold climate commitments in Nigeria. 

    Read Also: Why I didn’t attend APC national caucus meeting, by El-Rufai

    Speaking during the MoU signing at CARE’s office in Abuja on Wednesday, the Director General of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike said: “With the signing of the MoU, both teams will move quickly to implement the terms of the MoU. This is one of our many efforts aimed at building resilience among our farmers and other climate information users”.

    The Country Director of CARE Nigeria, Dr. Hussaini Abdu, while lauding the collaboration, said: “I want to appreciate the DG of NiMet and his team. We met your team just last week and already we are able to quickly put this MoU together. It shows the level of efficiency that colleagues on both sides are committed to. We hope that this is going to be a new beginning in terms of our relationship with NiMet”. 

    This MOU shall be for an initial period of 10 years, effective from the date of execution, and may be renewed thereafter on terms mutually agreed upon by both parties.

  • NiMet forecasts 3-day hazy weather condition

    NiMet forecasts 3-day hazy weather condition

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency NiMet has predicted haziness from Friday to Sunday across the country.

    NiMet’s Weather outlook released on Thursday in Abuja envisaged moderate dust haze in the North and North Central region on Friday.

    “With prospects of thick dust haze resulting in visibility of less or equal to 1000m over parts of Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Yobe, Kaduna, Borno, and Jigawa  throughout the forecast period.

    ” In the southern parts of the country, cloudy skies with spells of sunshine are anticipated with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers  in the afternoon/evening period.

    “For Saturday, moderate dust haze is expected over the Northern region throughout the forecast period.

    In the North Central region, slight dust haze is anticipated in the morning and afternoon/evening period,” it said

    It envisaged cloudy skies with spells of sunshine  over the region in the southern region and thunderstorms expected over Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Delta.

    According to NiMet, slight dust haze is anticipated over the North and the North Central region throughout the forecast period in the South on Sunday.

    It anticipated cloudy skies with spells of sunshine during the forecast period with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Lagos, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom later in the day.

    Read Also: ‘Farmers, rural communities to benefit from NiMet’s partnerships with varsities’

    “Particles are in suspension, public should take necessary precaution. People with asthmatic health condition and other respiratory issues should be cautious of the present weather condition.

    “Strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur, public should take adequate precaution. Adhere to safety advisories issued by relevant authorities.

    “Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from

    NiMet for effective planning in their operations,” it said.

    NiMet urged the residents to stay informed through its  weather updates and visit its website www.nimet.gov.ng

    (NAN)

  • ‘Farmers, rural communities to benefit from NiMet’s partnerships with varsities’

    ‘Farmers, rural communities to benefit from NiMet’s partnerships with varsities’

    • Agency signs MoU with Taraba State University

    The Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike, has said farmers and residents of agrarian communities will benefit from the agency’s partnerships with universities and other tertiary institutions across the country.

    Anosike said this while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NiMet and Taraba State University yesterday in Abuja.

    He said: “NiMet’s network of university partners is increasing. This adds to the weather and climate data available to us, in addition to the data being generated by our agency-owned weather stations. These various data enrich the accuracy of our weather forecasts in fulfilment of our mandate. These ultimately benefit the local farmers and other users”.

    The NiMet boss promised that the agency would continue to monitor the performances of the MoUs it signed with universities and other higher institutions to ensure the fulfillment of their obligations.

    Read Also: Nimet alerts Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Rivers on mid-year flood

    The Vice Chancellor of Taraba State University, Prof. Sunday Paul Bako, said the partnership with NiMet would enable the institution to meet the needs of the immediate university community and the larger community, which is agrarian.

    He said: “We have departments of Geography, Agriculture, and others, including Ecotourism, at the Taraba State University, that would benefit from the partnership and intervention. Our agricultural faculty runs extension programmes. So, with the data generated from the weather station, we can raise awareness on sustainable farming and climate-smart practices.”

    The MoU is for four years and is renewable.

    The aim of the collaboration is the promotion of activities relating to meteorology and climate change in Nigeria.

    The partnership is also expected to enhance the capacity of the parties to provide relevant tools that will boost the delivery of products and services to various sectors related to meteorology and climate change in Nigeria.

  • Nimet alerts Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Rivers on mid-year flood

    Nimet alerts Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Rivers on mid-year flood

    Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Rivers and nine other states will witness early rainfall this year, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) stated in its 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP).

    Eight northern states – Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, and Kwara – will experience delayed rainfall.

    The agency predicted that Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra, and sections of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi will witness early onset of rainfall.

    Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), presented the 2025 SCP in Abuja.

    Rainy season is expected over the coastal area of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and parts of Delta between February 23 and March 10.

    The cessation date of rainfall is predicted to be between October 6 and December 17 across the country.

    The agency also forecast that high-intensity rainfall is expected in May-June that may result in flash floods in the coastal cities.

    The forecast shows that in 2025, the total rainfall amount in most parts of the country is likely to be normal to below normal when compared to the long-term average.

    Keyamo said: “As with previous years, there are pre-onset rainfall activities that should not be confused with the actual onset of the rainy season.

    “Those engaged in rainfed agriculture and other-rainfall-dependent activities in Nigeria are advised to refer to the predicted onset dates or consult NiMet for proper guidance.

    “The onset of rain is predicted to be delayed over the northern and central states of Plateau as well as parts of Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, and Kwara.

    “While early onset is expected over the southern states of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra, and sections of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi. The rest of the country is predicted to have a normal onset.

    Read Also: NiMet’s affiliated unions agree to shelve strike

    “Earlier than the long-term average end-of-rainy season is predicted over parts of Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, FCT, Ekiti, and Ondo states.

    “A delayed end of season is expected over parts of Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, Lagos, Kwara, Taraba, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Anambra, and Enugu states.

    “The predicted length of rainy season in 2025 is expected to be mostly normal across the country.

    “However, Borno and parts of Yobe states could experience shorter than normal length of season.

    “Lagos and Nasarawa states are likely to have longer than normal length of seasons in 2025.

    “A normal to below-normal annual rainfall is anticipated in most parts of Nigeria compared to the long-term average.

    “Parts of Kebbi, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Cross River, Lagos Abia, Akwa Ibom states, and the FCT are expected to have above-normal annual rainfall amounts.

    “High-intensity rainfall is expected in May-June that may likely result in flash floods in the coastal cities.”

    The minister said some parts of the country would experience dry spells between April and August.

    He said: “During the April-May-June season, there is a likelihood of a severe dry spell of above 15 days after the establishment of rainfall in Oyo state (Saki, Iseyin, Ogbomosho, Atisbo, Orelope, Itesiwaju, Olorunsogo, Kajola, Iwajowa and Ori Ire).

    “Moderate dry spell that may last up to 15 days is likely to occur in Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom states in the south.

    “However, for the northern states, a severe dry spell that may last up to 21 days is predicted for the June-July-August season of 2025.

    “The Little Dry Season (LDS), also known as ‘August Break’ is predicted to begin by late July and would be severe only in parts of Lagos and Ogun states.

    “The number of days with little or no rainfall will range between 27 to 40 days. Moderate LDS effect is expected over parts of Ogun, Oyo, and Ekiti states. Osun, Oyo, Kwara, and parts of Ondo north are likely to experience light or mild LDS.”

    The temperatures are predicted to be warmer than the long-term average over most parts of the country between February and May.

    “Temperatures are expected to be generally above the long-term average across the country.

    “Both daytime and nighttime temperatures are predicted to be warmer than the long-term average over most parts of the country in January, February, March, and May 2025.

    “However, April day and nighttime temperatures are predicted to be generally cooler than normal, while warmer than normal temperatures are likely over most of the northern states”.

    On the importance of the SCP, the minister said: “Timely climate predictions will enable farmers to optimize farming schedules thereby improving the nation’s food system security; disaster managers to prepare for emergencies and minimise risks; and health authorities to anticipate disease outbreaks linked to weather and climate variations.”

    Keyamo added that the prediction serves as an early warning tool to stakeholders, governments at all levels, and the general public for timely preparedness against potential hazards associated with surplus or deficit rains, floods, and high or low temperatures, as well as dry spells in parts of the country, among others.

    Director General of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike said the SCP requires actions from stakeholders for its effectiveness.

    “As with all weather and climate predictions, the SCP, aside from being perishable, also requires actors who will uptake the information, utilise it, and provide feedback for evaluation and improvement of the document,” he said.

    The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar noted that weather and climatic elements impact heavily on all forms of human activities and across socio-economic sectors.

    She said the SCP enables NEMA to conduct expert analysis of disaster risk implications and produce disaster early warning messages for delivery to emergency responders.

    “The negative impacts of the annually recurring flood disaster in Nigeria could have been more devastating without the early warning information developed out of the NiMet SCP which is downscaled to the various end-user agencies and the general public by NEMA,” Umar added.

  • NiMet’s affiliated unions agree to shelve strike

    NiMet’s affiliated unions agree to shelve strike

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the agency-based unions have reached an agreement to postpone the unions’ planned strike.

    The unions that planned to embark on a strike are: the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE). But their plan to go on strike today was averted with the intervention of the agency.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja, NiMet said the unions’ representatives had agreed to shelve the strike shelved, following an agreement between the national and branch officers of the unions and the agency’s management.

    According to the statement, both sides agreed that the interests of NiMet’s workers were the focus of the discussions and negotiations.

    Read Also: ‘Nigeria to end HIV/AIDS public health threat by 2030’

    In the negotiations, which culminated in both sides signing of the agreement, timelines of actions were agreed by both parties on the various issues raised by the unions.

    NiMet’s Director General, Prof. Charles Anosike, promised that the agency’s management would always champion the cause of workers’ welfare but within realistic economic conditions.

    He said: “I welcome the efforts of the national officers of NiMet’s agency-based unions and the input of the branches. We are not over the line yet on the issues, but I am happy that we have been able to convince the unions’ leadership to postpone their planned strike.

    “This will enable management to continue with its ongoing efforts towards obtaining the necessary approvals from the federal government on the issues raised by unions.”