The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, has called for proactive measures to mitigate the impact of adverse weather conditions on Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Speaking at the public presentation of the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) at the NAF Conference Center in Abuja, the Minister highlighted the crucial role of early warning systems in ensuring air travel safety and broader socio-economic stability.
In his keynote address, Keyamo commended NiMet for its dedication to providing accurate and actionable climate data. He described the SCP as an invaluable tool for risk mitigation and decision-making across various industries, emphasizing the increasing threat posed by climate change to aviation and other key sectors.
He noted that the theme of this year’s SCP, “The Role of Early Warnings Towards a Climate-Resilient Aviation Industry for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development,” was timely given the growing frequency of extreme weather events that disrupt global air travel.
“Aviation is a weather-sensitive sector where decisions on flight plans, takeoff, and landing are made based on weather conditions. Reports indicate that global flight delays due to adverse weather increased from 11% in 2012 to 30% in 2023. More turbulence-related accidents are also expected due to worsening weather conditions brought about by climate change,” Keyamo stated.
The Minister outlined several meteorological challenges facing the aviation industry, including thunderstorms, squalls, wind shears, heavy rainfall, flash floods, sandstorms, dust haze, and fog. These weather conditions, he explained, contribute to flight delays, economic losses, and potential casualties, reinforcing the need for robust climate predictions to enhance air travel safety.
Keyamo stressed that NiMet’s SCP serves as a vital early warning system, equipping aviation stakeholders and other industries with the information needed to anticipate and adapt to climatic variations.
He noted that the SCP’s benefits extend beyond aviation, enabling farmers to optimize planting and harvesting schedules for improved food security, aiding disaster managers in preparing for extreme weather events, and allowing health authorities to anticipate disease outbreaks linked to climate variations.
“Over recent years, we have seen unprecedented weather patterns that have tested our preparedness and resilience. We must remain proactive by investing in sustainable practices, strengthening infrastructure, and supporting vulnerable communities,” he said.
He urged government agencies, NGOs, private sector actors, researchers, and the media to champion the use of the SCP in decision-making processes, emphasizing that collaboration and information sharing would be key to maximizing its impact.
According to the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Tunde Moshood, the 2025 SCP outlines significant climate trends expected to affect Nigeria in the coming year. Key predictions include a delayed onset of rains in northern and central states such as Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, and Kwara, while early rainfall is expected in southern states like Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and parts of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi. Additionally, shorter rainy seasons are projected for Borno and Yobe, while Lagos and Nasarawa may experience longer-than-normal rainy seasons.
Normal to below-normal rainfall is predicted for most parts of the country, with above-normal rainfall expected in Kebbi, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Cross River, Lagos, Abia, Akwa Ibom, and the FCT. Flash floods are expected in coastal cities during high-intensity rainfall in May and June. Severe dry spells of over 15 days are likely in Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom between April and June. The ‘August Break’ (Little Dry Season) is projected to begin in late July, lasting between 27 and 40 days in Lagos and Ogun. Higher-than-normal temperatures are anticipated nationwide in January, February, March, and May, while April is expected to be cooler than normal.
In alignment with the United Nations Early Warnings for All Initiative, Keyamo reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging NiMet’s climate predictions for effective disaster preparedness and socio-economic resilience. He urged stakeholders to apply the SCP’s insights in mitigating risks associated with climate change, warning that failure to act could lead to severe consequences.
“The SCP is not just a prediction; it is a blueprint for progress, resilience, and hope. I urge all stakeholders to make use of this document to enhance productivity and reduce exposure to climate-related disasters,” Keyamo concluded.
The unveiling of the 2025 SCP marks another milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to combat climate change through scientific forecasting and proactive policymaking. With continued support from the Tinubu administration, NiMet remains at the forefront of providing reliable climate intelligence to safeguard lives and livelihoods across the country.
