By Nkechi Eze
The Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has raised concerns over Africa’s significant weather and climate observation gaps, calling for increased investment in meteorological infrastructure, data systems and public-private partnerships to strengthen forecasting and early-warning services across the continent.
Anosike said Africa accounted for approximately 30 per cent of the global weather and climate observation deficit, underscoring the urgent need to expand observation networks and improve access to reliable meteorological data.
He made the call while delivering his welcome address at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Alliance for Hydromet Development, which began on October 13 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.
According to Anosike, Africa has only about 12.5 per cent of the minimum weather station density recommended by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), while compliance rates across 53 African countries stand at seven per cent for surface land stations and nine per cent for upper-air stations.
The NiMet chief said the statistics highlighted the scale of the continent’s infrastructure deficit and the need for governments, development partners and private-sector players to mobilise resources to close the gaps.
He stressed that government funding alone could not meet the growing demand for weather and climate services, advocating increased investment in observation infrastructure, remote sensing, data analytics and digital platforms.
Anosike also highlighted the importance of translating meteorological information into actionable guidance for critical sectors, including aviation, agriculture, maritime operations and disaster risk management.
He noted that improved weather observation systems and reliable forecasts were essential to strengthening early-warning mechanisms, enhancing preparedness for extreme weather events and protecting lives and livelihoods.
The President of the World Meteorological Organization, Dr Abdulla Ahmed Al Mandous, also called on Nigeria and other African countries to increase investment in meteorological and hydrological services to support sustainable economic development and improve resilience to weather-related hazards.
Al Mandous described the period leading to 2030 as critical to closing capacity gaps in weather, water and climate services, urging governments and development partners to prioritise funding, strengthen institutional frameworks and expand partnerships with key economic sectors.
He commended Nigeria’s growing contribution to regional cooperation, citing its support to Burkina Faso as a peer reviewer under the Country Hydromet Assessment initiative.
“Our direction is clear: to turn assessments into investments, investments into lasting capacity, and early warnings into early action that saves lives and livelihoods,” the WMO president said.
Anosike expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, for their support in strengthening NiMet’s institutional capacity and operational efficiency.
The three-day meeting brings together governments, development partners, financial institutions and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and identify investment priorities aimed at closing capacity gaps in weather, water and climate services across Africa by 2030.
