The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the University of Abuja, now Yakubu Gowon University, have strengthened their partnership to advance the Smart Climate Project and enhance collaboration in climate research, innovation and knowledge exchange.
According to an official statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NiMet, Dr Nasiru Sani, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, received the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, who led the institution’s management team on a courtesy visit to the agency.
The statement said the visit, undertaken on behalf of the University’s Governing Council led by Distinguished Senator Dr. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, focused on advancing discussions on the Smart Climate Project and exploring other areas of mutual interest.
Both institutions identified key areas for collaboration, including joint research, deployment of remote sensors, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools, weather stations, climate data utilisation, academic-industry linkages and knowledge exchange.
Speaking during the meeting, Prof. Anosike congratulated Prof. Fawehinmi on his appointment as substantive Vice-Chancellor and described the University as NiMet’s closest academic partner.
He disclosed that more than 60 per cent of NiMet interns are drawn from the University and recalled the agency’s previous support in establishing the institution’s weather station.
The NiMet Director-General urged universities to properly maintain weather stations provided by the agency to ensure they remain functional for teaching, research and climate services. He also pledged to establish a new weather station at the University.
The two institutions further agreed on the need to make climate information more accessible and practical for students, researchers, farmers, urban planners and local communities through the Smart Climate Project.
To drive implementation, a joint technical team comprising representatives of NiMet and the University of Abuja was constituted to identify priority areas of collaboration and coordinate the execution of agreed initiatives.
