NiMet, NEMA set up joint committee to improve disaster response

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have agreed to establish a joint committee to develop and implement a national Early Warning System Roadmap aimed at improving disaster preparedness and response coordination across the country.

According to a statement signed by the agency, the decision was reached on Thursday during a courtesy visit by Zubaida Umar, Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NEMA, to Charles Anosike, Director General/CEO of NiMet, at the NiMet headquarters in Abuja.

Speaking during the visit, Umar commended NiMet for the early release of the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), as well as the consistency of its daily weather forecasts and the operational improvements recorded under the leadership of Anosike.

She noted that the visit, which included key members of the NEMA management team, was intended to further strengthen the longstanding partnership between both agencies in addressing climate-related disasters in Nigeria.

According to her, there is a need to integrate NiMet into NEMA’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to improve coordination, disaster preparedness, and emergency response nationwide.

Umar stressed that timely weather and climate information remain critical to reducing the impact of disasters such as flooding, heat stress, windstorms, and other extreme weather events.

Responding, Anosike welcomed the NEMA delegation and appreciated the agency’s recognition of NiMet’s contributions to national development and public safety.

He described NiMet, NEMA, and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) as strategic partners working collectively to provide effective solutions to climate-related disasters affecting communities across the country.

Anosike also emphasised the importance of developing a Nigerian Early Warning System Roadmap through a collaborative framework involving NiMet, NEMA, and NIHSA.

According to him, the initiative would strengthen inter-agency collaboration, coordination, and trust while ensuring that disaster management institutions operate more efficiently and proactively.

At the end of the meeting, both agencies agreed to immediately set up a joint committee that would drive the development and implementation of the roadmap with clear objectives, timelines, and collaborative strategies aimed at enhancing disaster risk reduction and emergency response in Nigeria.