By Chioma Favour
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike, has been honoured with the 2026 Nigerian Educational Excellence Award in recognition of his contributions to education, meteorology, and capacity development in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
The award was presented on Monday at the Faculty of Education, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Represented at the ceremony by the Director of Weather Forecasting Services, Prof. Vincent Weli, Prof. Anosike expressed appreciation to the organisers for the recognition, describing the award as a reflection of NiMet’s commitment to advancing knowledge, innovation, and educational development in Nigeria.
According to him, NiMet’s role goes beyond weather forecasting, as the agency continues to support educational institutions through curriculum development, practical meteorological training, climate data access, and research collaborations.
“NiMet has consistently partnered with educational institutions to provide curriculum support, hands-on meteorological training, and access to critical climate data.
These efforts empower students and educators alike with practical tools for research, learning, and sustainable development,” he stated.
Prof. Anosike further noted that the agency has continued to bridge the gap between science and society through annual climate workshops and the integration of meteorological studies into university programmes.
He reaffirmed NiMet’s commitment to investing in the next generation of weather experts, researchers, and innovators, adding that the recognition would inspire the agency to strengthen its educational partnerships further.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Vincent Weli said Prof. Anosike’s leadership has transformed meteorological science into a practical learning and development tool for students, researchers, and professionals across Nigeria.
According to him, the NiMet DG has expanded collaborations with tertiary institutions to integrate operational weather data into courses such as meteorology, geography, agriculture, and environmental science.
Weli added that Anosike’s emphasis on training young meteorologists and technicians in modern forecasting systems and impact-based warning tools has positioned NiMet as both a scientific and educational institution.
He also highlighted the agency’s open-data policy and public weather communication platforms, including the Seasonal Climate Prediction and Daily Weather Outlook, which are now widely used as educational resources by lecturers, students, and researchers.
The NiMet delegation to the event also included the Director of Legal Services, Barrister Shola Gabriel, and the Special Assistant on General Services to the DG, Dr. Emmanuel Uket.
