The caution came during a one-day sensitization forum held in Abuja on Tuesday, targeting journalists and civil society organisations.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a fresh alert, warning Nigerians to brace for potential climate variability and extreme weather events that continue to pose significant risks across the country.
The caution came during a one-day sensitization forum held in Abuja on Tuesday, targeting journalists and civil society organisations.
The forum aimed to strengthen collaboration between NiMet and key stakeholders to ensure the timely and effective dissemination of critical weather information to the public.
Speaking at the event, NiMet’s Director-General, Prof. Charles Anosike, underscored the urgent need for Nigerians to build resilience in the face of increasing climate threats. He urged participants to actively engage, ask questions, and collaborate to create a nation that is well-informed, prepared, and resilient against the impacts of climate change.
“Our effectiveness as an agency hinges not only on accurate forecasts but on how well this information is communicated to the public,” Anosike stressed. “The media plays a vital role in translating complex meteorological data into accessible and actionable insights.”
The NiMet chief also highlighted ongoing reforms within the agency, including comprehensive staff training programs and improved welfare packages, aimed at enhancing service delivery and ensuring Nigerians receive reliable weather and climate information.
In a related development, NiMet is forging stronger ties with the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority (AIRBDA) to address the escalating threats of climate change on river basin hydrology and water resource management.
During a courtesy visit by the Managing Director/CEO of AIRBDA, Rt. Hon. Emeka Nduka, to NiMet headquarters in Abuja, Prof. Anosike explained how shifts in rainfall patterns and rising temperatures are disrupting the hydrology of river basins, resulting in more frequent floods and droughts that threaten livelihoods, infrastructure, and food security.
“Meteorological elements such as rainfall and temperature directly influence a river basin’s hydrological behaviour,” Anosike said. “Equally, the physical characteristics of river basins can shape local weather and climate patterns.”