The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to facilitate data sharing and information exchange.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday in Abuja.
A joint statement from both agencies outlines that the primary objective of this collaboration is to create a structured framework for sharing data, thereby enhancing situational awareness regarding climate-sensitive diseases, including cholera and malaria.
The partnership aims to correlate climate patterns with disease outbreaks, which will lead to improved predictive models and risk assessments.
Prof. Charles Anosike, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, described the MoU—initially set for four years with provisions for renewal as mutually agreed upon as a significant milestone for both organizations.
He emphasized the ongoing threats and serious challenges posed by changing weather patterns to health and well-being.
“Climate change is the most impactful threat to our health.
This partnership with the NCDC will allow us to enhance our systems beyond current efforts.
It is an important collaboration to strengthen preparedness and response to climate-related disasters,” Anosike stated.
He added, “These elements are key components of the United Nations early warning system initiative.
Investing in this area is essential to protect all citizens from climate-related risks.”
Dr. Jide Idris, the Director General of the NCDC, remarked that this collaboration represents the beginning of a comprehensive data, expertise, and resource-sharing initiative.
It aims to enhance the NCDC’s ability to monitor climatic and disease issues more effectively.
“This collaboration will strengthen our ability to prevent and respond to public health threats in Nigeria.
It will not only enhance cooperation between the NCDC and NiMet but also provide benefits across Nigeria.
We will continue this journey towards a healthier and climate-resilient Nigeria,” Idris said.
The partnership between NiMet and NCDC is expected to yield several benefits, including improved preparedness and response to diseases through timely access to climate and health data, enhanced predictions of outbreaks based on climate indicators, and strengthened institutional capacity for both agencies, ultimately supporting public health and resilience to climate change impacts in Nigeria.
