ECOWAS Partners with NiMet to Engender West Africa’s Climate and Disaster Preparenenes and Response.
By Raymond Enoch
In a landmark stepp to focus on deepening regional climate resilience and disaster preparedness, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has forged a strategic alliance with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), positioning West Africa at the forefront of science-based climate security governance.
The high-level visit, led by Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, Director of ECOWAS’s Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs (DHSA), took place at NiMet Headquarters in Abuja on July 1, 2025. The engagement marked a decisive step toward operationalising early warning systems and bolstering coordinated humanitarian response efforts across ECOWAS member states.
“This partnership aligns seamlessly with ECOWAS’s Humanitarian and Climate Security Agendas,” said Dr. Ugbe. “NiMet’s proven capacity in forecasting, data interpretation, and regional coordination makes it a vital partner in strengthening the region’s disaster preparedness.”
Dr. Ugbe spotlighted NiMet’s role in global meteorological excellence, including its active participation in the World Meteorological Organisation’s Voluntary Cooperation Programme (WMO VCP) and the SOFF Peer Review process.
Central to discussions was the ECOWAS Disaster Situation Room—a regional hub designed for real-time, multi-hazard early warning and rapid response coordination. NiMet’s expertise in forecast-based planning and early warning communication was hailed as a cornerstone of this effort.
An agreement to formalise the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
A shared commitment to long-term collaboration on joint training, technical exchanges, and co-development of region-specific climate services.
Plans to assess NiMet’s Training Centres for potential recognition as ECOWAS Centres of Excellence in Meteorology and Climate Science.
NiMet’s Director General and CEO, Professor Charles Anosike, welcomed the ECOWAS delegation, expressing strong support for cross-border climate cooperation.
“NiMet is proud to contribute technical expertise and data toward our shared goal of a resilient West Africa,” said Anosike. “From our leadership in the National Framework for Early Warning Services to our alignment with the UN’s ‘Early Warnings for All’ initiative, we are committed to solutions that save lives.”
Both parties concluded the meeting with a shared vision: to drive people-centred, science-driven policies that mitigate climate risks, strengthen humanitarian response, and ensure sustainable development across the region.
This milestone partnership between ECOWAS and NiMet not only amplifies West Africa’s voice in global climate governance—it sets a precedent for inter-agency collaboration that saves lives, protects livelihoods, and builds a safer, climate-resilient future for millions.
