By Ameh Gabriel
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has urged urban planners and policymakers to incorporate meteorological data into city development strategies to effectively address the twin challenges of climate change and urban population growth.
Prof. Anosike made this call during the Abuja City Environmental Sustainability Summit held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. The summit, themed “Sustainable Urban Transformation: Building a Resilient and Green Abuja”, was convened by Comrade Yussuf Olatunji Kelani, Special Assistant to the President on Climate Change Matters.
In his remarks, the NiMet DG emphasized the vital role of weather and climate data in shaping resilient, livable, and environmentally conscious urban spaces.
“The theme of this event reminds us of our shared responsibility to redesign Abuja into a climate-resilient, eco-friendly city that protects the well-being of future generations,” Prof. Anosike said.
He underscored that sustainable urban transformation goes beyond infrastructure upgrades to include strategic, systemic changes that address environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
“To effectively transform Abuja, we must prioritize climate-smart practices and social inclusion. A systemic approach is crucial to understanding the interconnected drivers of hazards, exposure, and vulnerability that intensify the impact of climate-related disasters,” he added.
Prof. Anosike reiterated NiMet’s critical role in this transformation process, highlighting the agency’s services such as weather forecasts, climate analysis, and seasonal predictions. These tools, he explained, are invaluable to environmental managers and urban planners in making evidence-based decisions, reducing disaster risks, and adapting proactively to shifting climate conditions.
“Meteorology and sustainable urban development are fundamentally linked. As cities grow, their evolving meteorological patterns significantly influence sustainability outcomes. Accurately interpreting and integrating this data is key to building climate-resilient urban futures,” he said.
The summit brought together key stakeholders from across sectors to discuss actionable strategies for promoting inclusive, data-driven, and green urban development. Discussions emphasized the need for stronger science-policy integration and the mainstreaming of climate information into infrastructure planning and environmental governance.
