The NiMet director-general participated in an AATF meeting focused on proactive flood preparedness in Nigeria. Hosted by Vice President Shettima, the event aimed to transition the country’s flood response strategy. It highlighted the need for collaboration and improved forecasting to address the rising toll of floods and protect communities.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), led by Director-General Prof. Charles Anosike, participated in the Anticipatory Action Task Force on Floods (AATF) meeting on March 18, 2025. The event, hosted by Vice President Kashim Shettima, aimed to shift Nigeria’s approach to flood control from a reactive stance focused on disaster relief to a proactive mindset prioritizing preparedness.
The AATF aligns with international initiatives such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. These frameworks advocate for proactive disaster preparedness to reduce the impact of natural disasters and support vulnerable populations.
During the meeting, AATF members presented updates on their respective agency’s preparedness efforts against flooding in Nigeria. Shettima expressed serious concerns about the rising human and economic costs associated with floods and emphasized the critical need for preemptive action, harnessing science, technology, and collaboration to improve safety and resilience.
Prof. Anosike praised the vice-president’s proactive leadership in advancing anticipatory measures, noting that such strategies would enhance preparedness and responses to climate-related disasters. He detailed NiMet’s role in delivering impact-based forecasts that facilitate early warnings ahead of severe weather events.
Anosike also identified several priorities for enhancing NiMet’s forecasting capabilities, which include improving weather models, upgrading forecasting systems, expanding the observation station network, enhancing data collection methods, and utilizing machine learning techniques for better prediction accuracy.
The AATF meeting highlighted the urgent need for Nigeria to transition towards proactive flood preparedness, aligning with global disaster risk reduction frameworks. With increased collaboration and advancements in forecasting, particularly from NiMet, Nigeria aims to better mitigate the impacts of flooding, thereby protecting vulnerable communities and reducing economic losses.
Original Source: sciencenigeria.com
