By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have set the stage for a groundbreaking partnership that promises to redefine meteorological services in Nigeria through the power of information and communication technology (ICT).

During a courtesy visit by the Director General of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike, to the NITDA headquarters in Abuja on Monday, both agencies committed to forging a robust collaboration aimed at integrating ICT into weather forecasting, climate data management, and service delivery.

Welcoming the NiMet team, NITDA’s Director General, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa, described the meeting as “long overdue,” stressing that technology remains the backbone of transformation across all professional sectors.

“Information technology is the engine of modern development and a catalytic tool that accelerates innovation across industries,” Inuwa said, reaffirming NITDA’s readiness to work with NiMet to deepen the use of technology in critical areas of national development.

Responding, Professor Anosike underscored the indispensable role of ICT in meteorological operations, noting that effective weather forecasting, climate analysis, and data dissemination depend heavily on technological advancement.

“ICT is essential to modern meteorological services. It enables accurate weather forecasting, efficient data collection and analysis, and timely dissemination of information that supports key sectors such as aviation, agriculture, the blue economy, and disaster risk management,” Anosike stated.

He also highlighted NiMet’s internal innovation drive, unveiling a homegrown weather solution known as METEOWIZ, developed entirely by NiMet’s staff. The software, according to him, is the first of its kind in Africa and a testament to Nigeria’s capacity for technological innovation within the meteorological field.

“Our goal is to collaborate with NITDA to standardise this solution, ensure global compatibility, and eventually position NiMet as an exporter of indigenous meteorological technology,” he added.

Both agencies agreed to formalise their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on enhancing ICT applications in meteorology. The partnership will cover areas such as digital transformation, capacity building, innovation projects, and data management.

A joint technical committee will also be constituted to identify and implement specific collaborative initiatives aimed at embedding advanced IT solutions into meteorological operations and improving public access to digital weather services.

The visit by Professor Anosike to Mr. Inuwa marks a milestone in Nigeria’s quest to harness digital technologies for improved service delivery and sustainable development.

“The alignment between NiMet and NITDA represents a new dawn for Nigeria’s digital meteorological ecosystem,” Anosike said, expressing optimism that the partnership will “drive innovation, enhance accuracy, and strengthen national resilience to climate challenges.”

This strategic alliance between NiMet and NITDA signals a forward-thinking shift in Nigeria’s public sector collaboration — one that recognises technology not just as a tool, but as a national asset in the pursuit of sustainable development and climate resilience.