By Nkechi Eze
The Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has reiterated that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) remains essential to modern meteorological services, as it enables accurate weather forecasting, data collection, analysis, and timely dissemination of climate information to critical sectors.
Professor Anosike made the remark when he paid a courtesy visit to the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Kashifu Inuwa, on Monday, 3rd November 2025, at the NITDA headquarters in Abuja. The visit was aimed at fostering collaboration and exploring strategic areas of partnership between the two key government institutions.
In his welcome remarks, the Director General of NITDA, Mr. Inuwa, described the partnership between both agencies as long overdue, noting that “better late than never.” He commended NiMet for its forward-looking vision and reiterated that information technology remains a powerful enabler for transformation across all professional fields. According to him, NITDA’s mandate is to deepen and accelerate technology adoption across critical sectors of the economy, including meteorology and environmental services.
Responding, Professor Anosike underscored the pivotal role of ICT in NiMet’s operations, stressing that modern meteorological services rely heavily on technology for accurate forecasting and data interpretation. He said, “ICT is an essential tool for weather forecasting, data collection, analysis, and dissemination. This partnership will enhance the credibility of NiMet’s services and create immense value for sectors such as aviation, agriculture, the blue economy, and disaster risk management through improved early warning systems.”
Highlighting NiMet’s strides in innovation, the Director General revealed that the agency has developed a proprietary weather solution known as METEOWIZ, a breakthrough technology designed and built entirely in-house by NiMet staff. He proudly noted that METEOWIZ stands as the first of its kind in Africa, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to indigenous technological advancement. Professor Anosike added that the collaboration with NITDA would help in the standardisation of such solutions and open avenues for exporting homegrown technology products to other parts of the world.
Both agencies agreed to formalise their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will focus on leveraging ICT to improve meteorological data management, digital innovation, and the dissemination of weather and climate information. The partnership will also prioritise joint capacity-building initiatives, technological innovation, and digital transformation projects aimed at advancing national development goals.
To actualise these goals, the two Director Generals agreed to set up a joint technical committee to identify and implement specific collaborative projects. These initiatives are expected to integrate advanced IT solutions into meteorological operations and expand digital service delivery for the benefit of all Nigerians.
The meeting between Professor Anosike and Mr. Inuwa marks a milestone in inter-agency cooperation towards enhancing digital and meteorological capabilities across the country. The synergy between NiMet and NITDA, both strategic institutions under Nigeria’s Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy respectively, is expected to drive innovation, strengthen data-driven governance, and contribute significantly to the nation’s sustainable development agenda.
