By Nkechi Eze
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Professor Charles Anosike, has been honoured with the 2026 Nigerian Educational Excellence Award in recognition of his leadership and contributions to advancing education through meteorology-based studies, training, and research initiatives across Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
The award was presented on Monday, May 11, 2026, during a ceremony held at the Faculty of Education of Federal University Oye-Ekiti.
Represented at the event by the Director of Weather Forecasting Services, Professor Vincent Weli, Professor Anosike expressed appreciation to the organisers for the recognition, describing the award as a reflection of the commitment of NiMet’s management to promoting knowledge, innovation, and educational development in Nigeria.
Professor Weli attended the ceremony alongside the Director of Legal Services, Barrister Shola Gabriel, and the Special Assistant on General Services to the Director General, Dr. Emmanuel Uket.
In his remarks, Professor Anosike stated that NiMet’s mandate extends beyond weather forecasting into educational development and national capacity building.
“As the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, I am privileged to lead an organisation whose impact stretches beyond weather forecasting into the heart of our nation’s educational development. NiMet has consistently partnered with educational institutions to provide curriculum support, hands-on meteorological training, and access to critical climate data. These efforts empower students and educators alike, equipping them with practical tools for research, learning, and sustainable development,” he said.
He added that the agency’s programmes, including annual climate workshops and the integration of meteorological modules into university curricula, have strengthened the relationship between scientific knowledge and societal development.
Professor Anosike, who also serves as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the World Meteorological Organization, reaffirmed NiMet’s commitment to investing in the next generation of meteorologists, researchers, and innovators.
“Today’s recognition inspires us to deepen these partnerships and ensure that meteorological knowledge remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s educational advancement,” he stated.
Speaking earlier at the ceremony, Professor Weli said Professor Anosike’s leadership has transformed meteorological science into a practical educational and capacity-building tool benefiting universities, students, researchers, and young professionals across the country.
According to him, the NiMet Director General has expanded collaborations with tertiary institutions to integrate operational weather data into academic curricula in meteorology, geography, environmental science, and agriculture.
He noted that the agency under Professor Anosike’s leadership has also prioritised the training of young meteorologists and technicians in modern forecasting tools, data analysis, and impact-based warning systems to prepare them for evolving climate challenges.
Professor Weli further explained that Professor Anosike’s commitment to open data access and effective public communication has made NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction and daily Weather Outlook valuable teaching and research tools for lecturers, students, and climate researchers.
“This award recognizes more than technical innovation; it recognizes Professor Anosike’s belief that education is the bridge between scientific knowledge and national resilience. By embedding training, mentorship, and research collaboration into NiMet’s core mandate, he has shown that a public agency can function as both a service provider and an educational partner,” Professor Weli said.
