By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has unveiled a collaborative initiative aimed at developing an integrated Climate–Health Early Warning System designed to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to anticipate and respond to climate-related health risks.
The initiative was introduced during the Weather and Climate Information Services for Health (WISER-Health) workshop held in Lagos, where experts and stakeholders gathered to explore ways of improving the use of weather and climate intelligence to safeguard public health across the country.
The five-day workshop represents a major step toward bridging existing gaps in climate services for the health sector. It also seeks to enhance coordination between meteorological and health institutions so that climate data can be effectively translated into actionable guidance for health authorities and vulnerable communities nationwide.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Charles Anosike, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Applied Meteorological Services, Mrs. Glory Onyegbule, highlighted the growing link between climate change and public health emergencies.
He warned that the effects of climate variability are increasingly contributing to serious health concerns, including heat stress, airborne infections and the spread of vector-borne diseases.
According to him, although National Meteorological and Hydrological Services provide climate-related risk information to the health sector, challenges remain in areas such as integrated surveillance, coordinated planning and the use of scientific evidence for decision-making.
He stressed that strengthening early warning systems is essential for reducing the impact of climate-driven health threats on communities.
“NiMet reaffirms its commitment to strengthening weather and climate information services as a critical pillar for public health protection. Building an efficient early warning system is not just a scientific responsibility; it is a national imperative,” he said.
He further explained that through closer collaboration with health institutions and both local and international partners, the agency aims to ensure that timely, accurate and impact-based weather forecasts lead to early action that protects lives and livelihoods.
“Through collaboration with the health sector and strategic partners, we are working to ensure that timely, accurate and impact-based forecasts translate into early action that saves lives and safeguards livelihoods across Nigeria. Together, we can transform climate intelligence into resilience for healthier communities nationwide,” he added.
The workshop brought together key national stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Emergency Management Agency, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, the National Orientation Agency, and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.
International and development partners also participated in the discussions, reflecting the global importance of climate-health collaboration. Among them were the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, UK Met Office, World Health Organization, British High Commission, Rockefeller Foundation, the World Bank, and the World Meteorological Organization.
Organised by NiMet in partnership with several government institutions, the WISER-Health workshop provided a platform for experts to design strategies that will improve the delivery of climate information to the health sector.
The initiative is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for climate-related health emergencies by promoting better coordination between meteorological services, disaster management agencies and public health authorities.
Ultimately, the planned Climate-Health Early Warning System aims to ensure that scientific climate intelligence is transformed into practical early-action measures capable of reducing health risks and building more resilient communities across Nigeria.
