By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

In a major continental recognition of public sector excellence, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has been named African Public Sector Leader of the Year at the prestigious 2026 African Leadership Persons of the Year Awards held in Accra, Ghana.

The award ceremony, a high-level highlight of the African Leadership Conference, celebrated transformational leadership across the continent. Professor Anosike was honoured for redefining institutional performance at NiMet and strengthening Nigeria’s climate and meteorological governance architecture.

Organised by African Leadership Magazine, the annual awards recognise leaders whose impact has delivered measurable progress within their institutions and countries. The 2026 conference, themed “Reimagining African Governance and Development: New Pathways for Economic Transformation and Institutional Renewal,” convened Heads of State, policymakers, development partners, and industry leaders to chart new directions for governance innovation and sustainable growth across Africa.

Transformational Leadership in Climate and Aviation.

The selection committee cited Professor Anosike’s sweeping reforms at NiMet, particularly in strengthening climate services, modernising early warning systems, enhancing aviation meteorology standards, and repositioning the Agency as a strategic driver of national development.

Under his stewardship, NiMet has emerged as one of Nigeria’s most digitally compliant government institutions, embedding automation, transparency, and data-driven systems into its operational framework. The Agency’s expanding role in climate intelligence, aviation safety, and national resilience has significantly elevated its institutional credibility both domestically and internationally.

The ceremony also celebrated other distinguished African leaders, including: Ghanaian President,
John Dramani Mahama — African of the Year
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah — African Political Leader of the Year
Amongst others.