The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has emphasised the critical role of leadership in shaping the work environment and fostering teamwork.
Speaking at the African Leadership Persons of the Year 2025 event in Casablanca, Morocco, Professor Anosike stated that good leaders “bring the weather and set the climate” by serving as role models in team interactions.
Highlighting the distinction between weather and climate, he noted, “The team’s climate is unlike the weather – the weather changes tomorrow, but the climate is experienced every day. Great leaders lead by doing!”
Anosike expressed his gratitude for the support of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, and his dedicated team at NiMet.
He also extended appreciation to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading NiMet toward transformation and innovation.
As the head of NiMet, an institution with over 130 years of history dating back to 1887 in Akassa, Bayelsa State, Anosike reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural productivity.
The event which held in Casablanca, Morocco also honoured other leaders including President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar (African Political Leader of the Year), President Bassirou Faye of Senegal (African of the Year), Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State (African Outstanding Good Governance Champion Award), Governor Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state, (African Leadership Public Service Excellence Award), Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, Managing Director/CEO of First Bank of Nigeria Plc (Special African Banking Leadership Award & African Leadership Award for Banking Excellence and Financial Innovation), Dr. Seinye Lulu-Briggs, Executive Chairman, Moni Pulo Limited (African Philanthropist of the Year 2024), and several others.
By providing early warnings and climate-smart recommendations, NiMet plays a vital role in helping farmers adapt to climate change and improve decision-making.
“Climate change is a threat multiplier,” he noted. “It exacerbates existing structural barriers and socio-economic challenges, making vulnerable communities even more susceptible to extreme weather events. NiMet provides multi-hazard monitoring, alerting, decision support, and climate risk intelligence to aid disaster risk management.”
He further stressed the importance of collaboration in achieving NiMet’s goals. By leveraging its network of weather stations and engaging stakeholders, NiMet delivers impact-based forecasts and early warnings that enhance safety, resilience, and food security.
To bridge funding gaps, NiMet is actively engaging private sector stakeholders and international funding partners to upgrade its weather observation networks.
The event which held in Casablanca, Morocco also honoured other leaders including President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar (African Political Leader of the Year), President Bassirou Faye of Senegal (African of the Year), Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State (African Outstanding Good Governance Champion Award), Governor Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state, (African Leadership Public Service Excellence Award), Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, Managing Director/CEO of First Bank of Nigeria Plc (Special African Banking Leadership Award & African Leadership Award for Banking Excellence and Financial Innovation), Dr. Seinye Lulu-Briggs, Executive Chairman, Moni Pulo Limited (African Philanthropist of the Year 2024), and several others.
This initiative aims to strengthen early warning systems and promote community-based preparedness for climate adaptation.
“A climate-proof economic growth strategy is essential for long-term sustainability,” he added. “Our success is rooted in teamwork, stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and diverse perspectives. Leadership is not an individual property but an emergent property of the system.”
Anosike’s remarkable leadership has earned him recognition at the African Leadership Persons of the Year 2025 awards. He will be honored with the African Public Sector Leadership Impact Award at the official ceremony on Saturday, February 22, 2025.
