In a landmark effort to safeguard public health against environmental shocks, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has launched a collaborative initiative to develop an integrated Climate-Health Early Warning System.
The initiative was the centrepiece of the Weather and Climate Information Services for Health (WISER-Health) workshop held this week in Lagos. The workshop is a significant step toward closing gaps and strengthening climate services for the health sector, ensuring that climate intelligence is translated into actionable guidance for health agencies and vulnerable communities across Nigeria.
Speaking at the five-day workshop, the Director-General/CEO of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, who was represented by the Director of Applied Meteorological Services, Mrs. Glory Onyegbule, warned that climate change is intensifying public health risks, including heat stress, airborne infections, and vector-borne diseases. While National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) provide climate risk information to the health sector, gaps remain in integrated surveillance, coordinated planning, and evidence-based decision-making.
“NiMet reaffirms its commitment to strengthening weather and climate information services as a critical pillar for public health protection. Building an efficient early warning system is not just a scientific responsibility; it is a national imperative. Through collaboration with the health sector and strategic partners (national and international), we are working to ensure that timely, accurate, and impact-based forecasts translate into early action that saves lives and safeguards livelihoods across Nigeria. Together, we can transform climate intelligence into resilience for healthier communities nationwide,” he added.
Key stakeholders in attendance included the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Emergency Management Agency, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, National Orientation Agency, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, among others.
Global and international partners included: the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD), Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), UK Met Office, World Health Organization (WHO), British High Commission, the Rockefeller Foundation, the World Bank, and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
The workshop is hosted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), and the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
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