The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have agreed to deepen collaboration on climate services, data management, research and early warning systems, thereby enhancing Nigeria’s climate resilience.
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, gave the commitment when he paid a courtesy visit on the Director-General of the NCCC Secretariat, Dr. Tenioye Majekodunmi.
Speaking at the gathering, Prof. Anosike said NiMet is Nigeria’s repository of long-term meteorological records, supplying the atmospheric data needed for climate trend analysis, climate risk assessments and the production of trustworthy climate projections.
He said more collaboration between the two agencies would lead to better development of climate projections, the standardisation of climate data and joint research to provide credible scientific evidence for climate-related decisions to policymakers.
It would also improve the translation of global climate projections into specific warnings for communities and sectors at risk from climate change, he said, which would help to boost adaptation and mitigation activities around the country.
The NiMet boss further noted that access to quality meteorological and climate data was critical to securing international climate finance, adding that both institutions could jointly develop funding proposals for projects focused on climate resilience, early warning systems and climate infrastructure.
In his answer, Dr. Majekodunmi, greeted the NiMet delegation and commended the agency’s contributions to weather forecasting and climate services, calling the collaboration as timely in view of the increasing challenges posed by climate change.
He gave the assurance that the Council would work closely with NiMet to improve Nigeria’s climate governance and capacity to deal with climate risks.
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One outcome of the meeting was that both organisations agreed to formalise their relationship through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will provide a framework for sustained cooperation in climate services, climate data management, research, capacity building and early warning systems.
The partnership is expected to support the implementation of evidence-based climate policies and bolster national efforts to protect lives, livelihoods and the environment from the impacts of climate change.
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