Nimet drives regional climate resilience with PRESASS 2024 success

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (Nimet) is spearheading a regional e ort to strengthen seasonal forecasting capabilities across West Africa and the Sahel.

is commitment was demonstrated through the successful conclusion of the Regional Forum Workshop on Seasonal Forecasts for the region, PRESASS, held in Abuja from April 22nd to 26th, 2024.

Festus Keyamo, minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, emphasized the critical role of disseminating accurate climate information to local communities during the closing ceremony of PRESASS.

He stressed the need for early warning systems to mitigate climate-related challenges and ensure sustainable socio-economic development.

“As we settle down to listen and discuss the details of the forecast produced for West Africa and the Sahel Region for the 2024 rainy season, my message is that as we return home to our various countries with the information and forecast from this year’s forum, we should ensure that these products don’t end up inside the shiny o ces in our capital cities. e real work of downscaling them to our local and rural communities just started. is is the only way the United Nations’ target of Early Warning for All (EW4ALL) by 2027 can be met,” Keyamo said.

Charles Anosike, Director-general and Chief Executive O cer of Nimet, highlighted the signi cance of PRESASS in strengthening regional seasonal forecasting capabilities.

He commended the e orts of Agro-hydro-clinate Meteorology (AGRHYMET) and the African Centre of Meteorological Application for Development (ACMAD) in maintaining the Regional Climate Outlook since its inception in 1998.

Anosike also emphasized the importance of Nimet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) as a critical early warning tool, released earlier in February 2024, which enables proactive disaster preparedness measures and sustainable economic development.