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Nigeria, China strengthen cooperation as Prof Anosike speaks to global community on AI driven weather services for farmers
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 Enugu State Government has suspended His Royal Majesty, Igwe Eze William Ezugwu, the traditional ruler of Ibagwa Ogbozalla Opi Autonomous Community, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu state.
The state government accused Igwe Ezugwu of violating provisions of the state’s Traditional Rulers Law.
In a letter of suspension dated September 24, the Enugu State Government cited his alleged failure to constitute his cabinet, failure to establish a Town Union governing body, and persistent conduct deemed inconsistent with the laws governing traditional rulers in the state.
The suspension comes barely three weeks after Igwe William Ezugwu received NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi at his palace in Opi, Nsukka LGA, where he reportedly blessed Obi’s presidential ambition.
The Deputy Commander of Operation Rainbow, CSP (Chief Superintendent of Police) Dennis David Babale, has been killed after gunmen suspected to be Fulani Bandits ambushed personnel of the security outfit along the Bokkos-Barkin Ladi road in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Operation Rainbow is a State-backed community security and intelligence-gathering outfit in Plateau State, Nigeria, originally established in 2010 under former Governor Jonah Jang and recently revamped by Governor Caleb Mutfwang to combat rural violence and beef up grassroots security.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 4:06 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 when the personnel, travelling in a Toyota Hilux vehicle, came under attack by unidentified gunmen.
Troops of Sector 4, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), responded to a distress report and moved to the location of the attack.
Sources told reporters that Babale sustained gunshot wounds during the ambush and was evacuated to the General Hospital, Barkin Ladi, for medical attention.
Following the attack, troops, working alongside personnel of other security agencies, launched offensive operations and a manhunt for the assailants within the general area.
Security forces have intensified efforts to track the attackers and prevent further attacks along the route.
Director General/CEO of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the World Meteorological Organization, Prof. Charles Anosike and other Chief Executive Officers of similar agencies across the world, have concluded a one week high level dialogue on Climate Science Information for Climate Finance and the 53rd Senior Official Field Exchange (SOFE) in Beijing, China.
The event which was hosted by World Meteorological Organization (WMO), took place from September 14 to 18, 2026 and featured discussions on: strengthening the role and leadership development of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in mobilizing climate finance; aligning scientific and technical capabilities with risk-informed, people-centred early warning systems; shifting from technical assistance to sustainable investments by expanding practical cooperation between meteorological frameworks and multilateral financing entities; and support to NMHSs leadership on strengthening strategic thinking and fostering productive partnerships.
Held back-to-back with the High-level dialogue was the 53rd Senior Official Field Exchange to Fujian Province for first-hand exposure to the implementation of Multi-hazard, Alert, Zero-gap and Universal (MAZU) platform – China’s AI-driven meteorological early warning solution in support of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative and disaster risk reduction practices through technical exchanges, field visits and peer learning.
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