The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have agreed to collaborate on enhancing disaster preparedness and early warning systems across the West African sub-region.
This development emerged during a courtesy visit by an ECOWAS delegation to NiMet headquarters in Abuja. The delegation, led by Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, ECOWAS Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, was received by NiMet’s Director General, Professor Charles Anosike.
Speaking during the meeting, Prof. Anosike said the collaboration is aimed at “strengthening early warning systems, providing technical expertise, and supporting capacity building in meteorology and climate science.”
He noted that the partnership aligns with the global “Early Warnings for All” (EW4All) initiative and is designed to foster regional resilience through science-driven and people-centred climate action.
The ECOWAS delegation commended NiMet for its leadership in advancing climate services in the region, acknowledging the agency’s pivotal role in mitigating the impacts of climate-related disasters across West Africa.
Discussions between the two bodies centred on key areas of cooperation, including joint training programmes, technical exchanges, and improved access to climate knowledge products.
Both parties also explored the proposed establishment of the ECOWAS Disaster Operation Centre — a regional hub envisioned to coordinate multi-hazard early warning dissemination and address climate-related vulnerabilities.
Also on the agenda was the recognition of NiMet’s training centres as ECOWAS Centres of Excellence for capacity development in meteorology and climate science.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed soon to formalise the partnership and guide joint activities.
Both NiMet and ECOWAS reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional disaster preparedness and building resilience to climate risks across West Africa.
