By Emma Peter
The Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, and the President of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Dr Abdulla Ahmed Al Mandous, have called for increased investment in weather and climate services across Africa to address critical observation gaps, strengthen early-warning systems and promote sustainable economic development.
The call was made at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Alliance for Hydromet Development, holding at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, from October 13 to 15, 2026.
Speaking at the event, Anosike, who is also Nigeria’s Permanent Representative with the WMO, highlighted the continent’s significant weather and climate data challenges, noting that Africa accounts for approximately 30 per cent of the global observation deficit.
“Africa today has the largest basic weather and climate data gaps in the world, holding roughly 30% of the global observation deficit,” he said.
According to him, Africa has only about 12.5 per cent of the minimum weather station density recommended by the WMO, while compliance rates stand at seven per cent for surface land stations and nine per cent for upper-air stations across 53 African countries.
Anosike stressed the need for increased investment in weather observation infrastructure, remote sensing technologies, data analytics and digital platforms to address the gaps, adding that government funding alone would not be sufficient to meet the continent’s growing meteorological needs.
He also emphasised the importance of stronger public-private partnerships in expanding observation networks and improving access to reliable weather and climate information.
The NiMet director-general highlighted the agency’s contributions to aviation safety, agriculture, maritime operations and disaster risk management, stressing the need to translate meteorological information into practical guidance that would support decision-making and strengthen early-warning systems.
In his remarks, WMO President Al Mandous urged Nigeria and other African countries to prioritise investment in meteorological and hydrological services to protect lives and livelihoods, improve disaster preparedness and support long-term economic growth.
He described the period leading to 2030 as critical for closing capacity gaps in weather, water and climate services, calling for stronger institutional frameworks, expanded partnerships with key economic sectors and closer cooperation among African countries.
Al Mandous commended Nigeria’s growing contribution to regional meteorological cooperation, noting that the country had progressed from being a beneficiary of technical assistance to sharing expertise with other nations.
He cited Nigeria’s support for Burkina Faso as a peer reviewer under the Country Hydromet Assessment initiative as an example of the country’s expanding role in strengthening regional capacity.
“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.
He urged governments, development partners and financial institutions to work together to mobilise resources, strengthen institutional capacity and ensure that investments in weather and climate services deliver tangible benefits to communities and economies.
Anosike expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, CON, SAN, for their support in strengthening NiMet’s institutional capacity and operational efficiency.
The three-day meeting brings together government representatives, 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.
