NiMet seeks tax breaks, PPP framework to scale meteorological infrastructure

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has called for targeted fiscal incentives and stronger public-private partnerships (PPPs) to expand the country’s meteorological infrastructure, warning that rising climate risks are placing unprecedented demands on weather and climate services.

Charles Anosike, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during the 2026 World Meteorological Day celebration, where stakeholders across government, aviation, and international organisations gathered to assess Nigeria’s preparedness for extreme weather events.

Anosike said the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related shocks, ranging from extreme heat to floods have made accurate, real-time weather data indispensable for safeguarding lives, protecting infrastructure, and sustaining economic activity.

He emphasised that while NiMet has made significant progress in modernising its infrastructure, including expanding surface and upper-air observation networks, satellite data systems, and automatic weather stations, funding constraints continue to limit the pace of expansion.

To address this, Anosike advocated a policy framework that would incentivise private sector participation through tax breaks, shared investment models, and structured PPP arrangements.

“With the growing demand for meteorological information occasioned by climate variability and change, including extreme weather events, technological innovations, growing knowledge and market size, the viability of private sector participation is assured.

“Governments are creating the enabling policy environment for private investors to not only contribute to climate change adaptation but also recoup their investment through viable public-private joint ventures and tax breaks.

“I therefore want to call on industry leaders, technology innovators, research institutions, financial institutions, and development partners to work closely with NiMet in expanding Nigeria’s meteorological observation capabilities,” he stated

According to him, deeper collaboration would not only improve data collection and exchange but also accelerate innovation in observation technologies, ultimately strengthening Nigeria’s early warning systems and climate resilience.

“The private sector has a critical role to play. Across the world, companies are investing in weather stations, remote sensing technologies, data analytics, and artificial intelligence models that complement national systems. We must create the enabling environment for such investments in Nigeria,” he said

Data from NiMet’s “State of the Climate in Nigeria 2025” report underscores the urgency of these investments. The report shows that extreme daytime temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius and above were recorded in 23 cities, with the most severe heat occurring between March and June.

Nguru in Yobe State recorded up to 100 days of temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, while flood events have also become more frequent nationwide.

Speaking at the event, Roland Abah, representing the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for North-Central and West Africa, said extreme weather remains the top long-term global risk, citing findings from the World Economic Forum.

“The last decade has been the warmest on record in Africa. We are witnessing more intense rainfall, floods, droughts, and heatwaves. These are not future threats they are today’s reality,” he said

Abah noted that while meteorological observation systems are critical to early warning and disaster risk reduction, they are capital-intensive and require sustained investment from both public and private actors.

“Investing in NiMet should not be the responsibility of the government alone. The private sector and other stakeholders, who are major beneficiaries of climate services, must play a more active role,” he said.

Also speaking, Chris Najomo, Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), highlighted the central role of meteorological data in aviation safety, noting that real-time weather observations underpin every aspect of flight operations.

“In aviation, observing is not just a scientific exercise, it is the foundation of every takeoff and landing. From detecting wind shear to monitoring turbulence, accurate data enables life-saving decisions,” he saw

Najomo called for increased investment in weather-resilient infrastructure for airports and the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and satellite data to enhance predictive capabilities.