The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike, has been elected President of the ECOWAS Committee of Directors of National Hydrological and Meteorological Services.
His election was announced in a statement released on Monday and followed the Committee’s 14th meeting, held in Abuja from May 20 to 22, 2025.
The Committee includes heads of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) from ECOWAS member states. It promotes collaboration on weather, climate, and water-related issues, with a focus on early warning systems, disaster risk reduction, and climate resilience under the ECOWAS Hydromet Initiative.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Anosike emphasized the urgent need for regional cooperation in the face of worsening climate challenges.
“As we confront the challenges of climate change, our collective action is crucial. I am honoured to lead this Committee at such a pivotal time,” he said.
The meeting drew participation from representatives of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Cape Verde, which joined virtually.
Also in attendance were delegates from partner organizations including:
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD)
Regional Centre for Agriculture, Hydrology and Meteorology (AGRHYMET)
West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL)
ECOWAS Commission
The World Bank
Nigeria’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development
The event was officially opened by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN alongside Dr. Ibrahim Kana, Permanent Secretary of the ministry.
One of the key highlights of the meeting was the review of the “Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL)” initiative, which aims to achieve full implementation across the region by 2027.
