The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) have agreed to strengthen collaboration on climate services, data management and national climate resilience initiatives through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The agreement was disclosed in a statement issued by NiMet on Wednesday following a courtesy visit by the agency’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Charles Anosike, to the Director-General of the NCCC Secretariat, Nkiruka Maduekwe, on Tuesday.
During the meeting, Anosike said NiMet remains the custodian of Nigeria’s long-term meteorological records, providing the baseline atmospheric data required for climate trend analysis, climate risk assessment and the development of reliable climate projections.
He stressed the need for closer collaboration between the two institutions in developing climate projections, strengthening early warning systems, standardising climate data and conducting joint research to support evidence-based policymaking.
According to the statement, Anosike said stronger institutional cooperation would provide policymakers with localised, science-based information to guide climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, while improving the translation of global climate projections into practical advisories for communities and climate-sensitive sectors.
He also emphasised that high-quality meteorological and climate data are critical to Nigeria’s ability to access international climate finance.
“Quality meteorological and climate data is a prerequisite for accessing international climate finance,” Anosike said, adding that both institutions could jointly pursue funding opportunities to support climate resilience, early warning systems and climate infrastructure projects.
Responding, the Director-General of the NCCC Secretariat welcomed the initiative and commended NiMet for its contributions to weather and climate services, expressing support for deeper institutional collaboration.
The statement said both organisations agreed to formalise their partnership through the signing of an MoU covering climate services, climate data management, climate research, early warning systems, capacity development and other areas of mutual interest.
According to NiMet, the partnership reflects the shared commitment of both agencies to advancing Nigeria’s climate policy, strengthening institutional cooperation and protecting lives, livelihoods and the environment through improved climate services and evidence-based climate action.
The collaboration builds on earlier engagements between the two agencies. In August 2024, NiMet and the NCCC agreed to deepen cooperation on climate action, with the weather agency highlighting its role as the custodian of more than 100 years of meteorological and climate data to support climate adaptation, mitigation and the implementation of the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All initiative.
NiMet has also expanded partnerships with universities, state governments and development organisations to improve climate services, weather data dissemination and early warning systems.
In March 2026, the agency signed an MoU with the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences to strengthen climate research, enhance localised weather observations and promote climate-smart agriculture and food security.
