Photo caption: DG NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike and his Chinese counterpart, Dr. Chen Zhenlin at the WMO event.

The Nigerian Meteorogical Agency, NiMet and its Chinese counterpart, have agreed to strengthen relation towards deploying artificial intelligence, AI to fast track real time and warning on climate and weather dynamics in their two countries.

The discission took place on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the WMO Executive Council between NiMet’s Director-General/CEO and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at WMO, Professor Charles Anosike held a bilateral meeting with the Administrator and Director-General of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), Dr. Chen Zhenlin.

The two leaders pledged to deepen the long-standing partnership between both countries and explore new areas of collaboration.

Prof. Anosike (second from left) and representatives of some other WMO member countries at the meeting

Both Permanent Representatives expressed commitment to advancing cooperation through the adoption and customization of the MAZU AI Early Warning Platform for Nigeria while leveraging emerging AI technologies to strengthen weather and climate services.

The meeting also agreed on the adoption of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering the MAZU platform, staff exchanges, joint research, data sharing, remote sensing, aviation research, knowledge exchange, and scholarship programmes for the mutual socioeconomic benefit of both countries.

Speaking at the event on the theme-  “Scaling AI-Powered Weather Services for Farmers,” Prof. Anosike said effective AI-driven weather forecasting begins with quality observations, stressing the need to address observation and data gaps across Africa. He noted that investment in observation systems is fundamental to unlocking the full potential of AI in meteorology.

He also showcased NiMet’s structured approach to integrating AI into its operations, adding that the Nigerian Agency inaugurated its AI Research Team in January 2026 to drive the identification, evaluation, and operational deployment of AI and machine learning technologies.

Since then, NiMet has developed AI Terms of Reference (TOR), Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), an AI Operational Framework with phased milestones, and documented AI use cases to guide implementation.

As part of these efforts, NiMet is evaluating leading AI weather prediction models and developing the MeteoAI platform to enhance weather forecasting, climate prediction, forecast verification, and early warning services. The Agency is also assessing the most cost-effective computing infrastructure to support operational AI deployment.

Prof. Anosike reaffirmed NiMet’s commitment to leveraging AI and modern geospatial technologies to strengthen operational meteorology and advance the Early Warnings for All initiative across Africa, ensuring that farmers and vulnerable communities benefit from more timely, accurate, and actionable weather and climate information.

The event which took place at EMO headquarters, brought together global leaders, meteorological experts, and development partners to discuss how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance weather forecasting, strengthen climate services for agriculture, and improve food security through innovative partnerships.

The Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party, effectively nullifying all actions taken pursuant to the ruling.

Justice Isah Dashen, who delivered the ruling on Friday, held that the court’s December 10, 2025 judgment adversely affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which was not joined as a party in the suit despite claiming ownership of the logo relied upon in obtaining the judgment.

Counsel to the applicant, C.S. Ekeocha, told journalists that the Peace Movement Party approached the court after discovering that the NDC’s registration was based on a logo it had previously submitted to INEC before the commencement of the suit.

According to Ekeocha, the court agreed that the applicant’s rights had been affected and consequently vacated the earlier judgment.

“The court has ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the judgment of December 10, 2025, and directed the claimants to join all necessary parties to ensure the issues in dispute are effectually and completely determined,” he said.

He explained that the implication of the ruling is that every action taken by INEC in compliance with the now-vacated judgment stands reversed.

“The recognition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” Ekeocha stated.

He, however, clarified that the substantive case remains before the court and has not been decided.

“The matter has not been concluded. The court merely set aside its previous judgment and directed that the party whose interests were affected be joined so that all sides can be heard before a fresh decision is reached.”

Ekeocha also dismissed suggestions that the court merely ordered parties to maintain the status quo, insisting that the ruling specifically directed a restoration of the position that existed before the December 10, 2025 judgment.

The Federal Government has disclosed that necessary measures, including international collaboration, are being deployed to ensure the safe release of the 47 kidnapped teachers and students of both public and private schools in Yawota and Ahoro Esienle communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

President Bola Tinubu stated this through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at the commissioning of the remodelled 154-bed Premier Hotel in Ibadan on Thursday.

He reassured residents of Oyo State and the South-West region that the government is intensifying efforts to tackle insecurity across the country, including the recent rise in banditry, kidnapping, and related crimes.

“I must at this point reassure the good people of Oyo State and indeed the South-West that the Federal Government is seriously addressing the upswing in banditry, kidnapping and associated criminalities across the nation.“

“I wish to assure you that every realistic measure, including international collaboration, is being taken to ensure that the kidnapped victims in Oriire Local Government are safely brought home without harm or avoidable loss of life,” he said.

He called on citizens to remain vigilant and support security agencies through intelligence sharing and community collaboration.

“I urge all citizens to remain vigilant and to work collaboratively with security agencies. There is undoubtedly a huge role for traditional and faith-based institutions to play in this regard and I urge them to take the lead through the various channels provided by government,” he added.

“The economy can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and security,” noting that the Tinubu administration has made substantial investments in strengthening the nation’s security architecture.

“Economic development can only flourish in an atmosphere of peace, stability and security. That is why our administration has continued to invest significantly in strengthening the nation’s security architecture,” he said.

He stated that over the past three years, the government had enhanced inter-agency coordination, improved intelligence gathering, expanded technological surveillance capabilities, strengthened community-based security initiatives, and increased support for the armed forces and security agencies.

“There is an ongoing process in the National Assembly targeted at enhancing policing at all levels. We hope to roll this out in no distant future,” he said.

He noted that his administration’s efforts were yielding measurable results across several parts of the country and would continue until every Nigerian could live and conduct business safely.

“These efforts are yielding measurable results across many parts of the country. We remain committed to ensuring that every Nigerian, every investor, and every visitor can live, work, travel and do business in safety and confidence,” he stated.

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