The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has described its recent Stakeholder Engagement Forum held in Lagos as a landmark initiative that signals a new era of collaboration, communication, and improved service delivery in Nigeria’s weather and climate sector.
Speaking at the forum, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, said the engagement was designed to strengthen NiMet’s connection with its diverse stakeholders, while deepening trust and enhancing the agency’s visibility both locally and internationally.
“The forum was an avenue to project NiMet, showcase our products, and connect more closely with stakeholders and the public, informing them about our strategic plans, progress, and even challenges,” she said.
The event, themed “Early Warnings: Raising Awareness on Climate Risks and Promoting Early Action,” is the first of its kind for NiMet. It comes at a time when the agency, under the leadership of Director-General/CEO, Professor Charles Anosike, has introduced key reforms including upgraded forecasting equipment and improved staff welfare.
Arowojobe emphasized that the forum’s core objective was to open communication channels, understand how NiMet is perceived, and receive feedback on how best to meet stakeholders’ needs.
“This reform is about building trust and fostering inclusion through clear and transparent communication. We want to create lasting partnerships that will reinforce NiMet’s value proposition, improve service delivery, and ensure stakeholders feel heard,” she explained.
While NiMet has long been a vital player in aviation, agriculture, hydrology, and environmental management, the agency says it is expanding its focus to emerging sectors such as marine, oil and gas, health, and construction.
She added that stakeholder engagement is one of the critical success factors of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development’s Strategic Plan (2024–2028), and praised the support of the Honourable Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for strengthening NiMet’s capacity to deliver.
Looking ahead, NiMet plans to embark on a comprehensive mapping of stakeholders by geography, sector, and community, while outcomes from the forum will be communicated widely through radio, television, social media, and government platforms in multiple languages to ensure inclusivity and accessibility.
“Our aim is to remain responsive and build lasting partnerships with all Nigerians, especially those in need of our products and services,” Mrs. Adebayo-Arowojobe affirmed, urging the public to engage NiMet through its consumer protection channels.
NiMet, mandated to collect, analyze, and disseminate weather and climate data, continues to provide critical forecasts and advisory services that safeguard lives, support socioeconomic growth, and inform government policies.
