NiMet reiterates need to close early warning gap

The Director General of Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has on the occasion of the celebration of the 2025 World Meteorological Day reiterated the need for closing early warning gap. 

This year’s celebration themed, “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together”, reflecting global commitment to strengthening early warning capabilities was celebrated globally this month, and also used to mark the 75th anniversary of the organisation. 

At a special ceremony to mark the day at NiMet’s headquarters in Abuja, Anosike said, “We must recognise that closing the early warning gap requires ALL – including strong collaboration, coordination and cooperation between national and international partners, policymakers, the private sector, and local communities especially the youth. Government alone cannot do it

“Today in Nigeria, we at NiMet have remained at the forefront of advancing early warning systems through science-based weather and climate services. Our Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), daily weather forecast and bulletins, Impact-Based forecast and other publications have proven instrumental in disaster risk reduction across all socio-economic sectors. 

“However, unprecedented weather extremes in past few years is surfacing early warning gaps such as inadequate finance and access to latest technologies, uncoordinated dissemination efforts, insecurity and maintainability of early warning systems must be proactively addressed.”

The DG explained that”reflecting a global commitment to strengthening early warning capabilities, investing in early warning systems not only saves countless lives and livelihood, it generates ten times return on investment and strengthen economies.

“Of course, we’re excited by the progress made in expanding early warning systems coverage worldwide as we continued to experience increasing climate variability and extreme weather events. 

“To support this global endeavour, the Nigerian meteorological agency has been engaged in strengthening forecasting and dissemination capabilities to ensure communities and individuals prepare for, respond to, and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events. Modernised hydrometeorological infrastructure is key to enhancing early warning and a solid step towards reducing the early warning gaps.  

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“At NiMet, we continue to work towards upgrading our weather systems, providing quality observation and robust weather forecasts to trigger pre-emptive measures and equip stakeholders with the necessary tools to interpret early warnings and respond with early actions.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) representative in Nigeria,  Bernard Gomez,  who was present at the event shared a message from the WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo, reminding that governments must lead the way, and that collaboration is key. “Investing in National Meteorological and Hydrological Services isn’t just about forecasting—it’s about saving lives, strengthening economies, and securing our future. The time to act is now ”, the WMO Secretary-General Saulo said. 

Gomez himself said that National Meteorological and Hydrological Services must remain the source of authoritative warnings, while the private sector can help drive innovation, strengthen dissemination,

and enhance risk knowledge.