The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Adamawa State University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to strengthen the timely delivery of early warnings and promote targeted research in climatology and climate change.

This is coming as Prof. Charles Anosike, the Director General of NiMet, at another event, highlighted climate risks and the need for collaboration in sustainability reporting.

The partnership with Adamawa State University aims at enhancing the accuracy and speed of early warnings—such as real-time weather alerts and seasonal forecasts tailored for local farmers and communities in Adamawa State; as well as to support the creation of specialized training programs for students and practitioners, and includes the publication of joint research findings that address region-specific climate challenges.

In his remarks, Prof. Anosike, emphasized the need for tertiary institutions to work closely with the agency on research and the effective dissemination of early warnings.

He noted that, in line with the UN’s “Early Warning for All 2027” initiative, such collaborations are critical to strengthening food security, protecting lives and property, and building local resilience to extreme weather events.

Prof. Anosike highlighted specific areas of focus for the partnership, including climate data analysis, drought and flood monitoring, and the integration of climate science into community-based disaster preparedness.

Vice-Chancellor of Adamawa State University, Prof. Augustine Clement, expressed his commitment to fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. He assured NiMet that the university would actively engage in projects such as co-developing educational workshops, curating climate research internships, and supporting community outreach programs that translate scientific findings into practical guidance for the public and policymakers in the state.

In the same vein, Prof. Anosike, has emphasized the need for tertiary institutions to work closely with the agency on research and the effective dissemination of early warnings.

He spoke at the Investor Roundtable hosted by the Nigerian Stock Exchange Group to commemorate the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), Prepares Readiness Programme.

Anosike noted that the World Economic Forum’s identification of increasing extreme weather events as a top global risk, impacting financial institutions through increased costs, physical risks, and liquidity issues.

He said “extreme weather events are both short-term and long-term risks, highlighting their significant and growing economic costs, disproportionate impact on developing countries, and potential triggers for food price shocks, supply chain disruptions, and increased insurance costs.

“Climate disasters are not just environmental concerns—they are financial risks. ‘Financial institutions face increased credit risk in Nigeria when borrowers’ ability to repay loans is impacted by climate disasters, and market risks as the value of certain assets declines. Increasing climate damages are straining private insurance markets, shifting more costs to government-run plans and raising questions about their sustainability. We need to work together, integrating contextual meteorological data into Sustainability Reporting and close climate data gaps in Nigeria”, he said.

Highlighting the impact of climate awareness, Professor Anosike notes that meteorology provides the fundamental weather and climate data that forms the foundation of sustainability reporting. Reliable climate data is crucial for informed decisions in our financial markets. It is essential for agricultural productivity and food security, aviation safety, building and construction, disaster preparedness, maritime operations, public health, and infrastructure development among others thereby ensuring sustainable economy
He spotlighted NiMet’s role as the nation’s climate custodian, entrusted solely with the mandate to observe, collate, collect, process, and disseminate weather and climate information for the safety of lives and property. Making weather and climate predictions across various timescales and ensuring timely communication of weather and climate information to support sustainable socio-economic development in Nigeria.
“NiMet has been at the forefront of climate data management and people cantered early Warning Systems,” Anosike said nd emphasised that greater investment, mutual engagement and quality climate data sharing are critical for effective sustainability reporting, fostering trust, transparency and collective progress towards climate informed goals.