Maryam Aminu
In a bid to strengthen climate resilience and enhance weather forecasting capabilities, selected staff of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) will undergo specialized training sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The training is part of the Building Agricultural Systems Resilience in Nigeria Project (2024-2026), implemented by Sahel Consulting, and aims to equip NiMet personnel with advanced skills in climate data analysis and application.
A statement from NiMet’s media office highlighted that staff members have previously benefited from similar training under the ongoing partnership.
The upcoming training will be conducted by the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), a key technical partner in the project and a part of the Columbia Climate School at Columbia University.
The program is structured into two phases:
Training of Trainers (ToT) session – February 18 to 21 and Expanded training session – February 24 to 28, where NiMet staff will train participants from various ministries and agencies under the guidance of an IRI expert.
Receiving Dr. Tufa Dinku, a Research Scientist from IRI, who visited to brief him on the training, NiMet’s Director General and CEO, Prof. Charles Anosike, expressed appreciation to the Gates Foundation and its partners for their support.
“Access to high-quality climate data is essential for developing effective, decision-relevant, and sustainable climate services. This training will enhance our capacity and empower beneficiaries to leverage climate information for improved decision-making,” Prof. Anosike stated.
The initiative is expected to significantly boost Nigeria’s agricultural resilience, improve climate adaptation strategies, and enhance the country’s meteorological services.
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