The Nigerian Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on the sideline of the Aeronautical Meteorology Scientific Conference (AeroMetSci-2024) has held talks on boosting Nigeria’s bilateral relations with the World Meteorological Organization, WMO.

In a strategic meeting with the Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO),  Professor Celeste Saulo, recognized the role of meteorology in nation-building and aviation safety and the importance of Nigeria within the region, regarding technical assistance and capacity development initiatives for other member states.

He highlighted areas that WMO could provide support for Nigeria such as training, skills acquisition, increased fellowship opportunities for NiMet staff, and early warnings capacity development for industrial professionals. 

The Minister advocated for increased WMO presence in Nigeria and pledged that Nigeria would continue to fulfil its statutory obligations to the WMO Regional Office in Abuja, Nigeria and the WMO headquarters.

The Minister requested the WMO support to actualize the EW4All road map.

Also Speaking, the Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike said that WMO support is required for Nigeria to become a Regional WIGOS Centre and Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Centre of Excellence.

He appreciated the WMO for the support received during the training programme on NWP and affirmed Nigeria’s readiness to support member states within the region.

Responding, the WMO Secretary General, Professor Celeste Saulo acknowledged the role of Nigeria in ensuring that no country is left behind in the region and also its support in facilitating other meteorological services in the region.

She commended the support being received by the Meteorological Service of Nigeria and emphasized the importance of such support especially towards resource mobilization for improved service delivery, and early warning system improvement, particularly for extreme weather events in the developing world.

Professor Saulo stated her support and that of the WMO for Nigeria considering the strategic importance of the country to the development of meteorological services.

The ongoing Aeronautical Meteorology Scientific Conference (AeroMetSci-2024) organized by the Commission for Weather, Climate, Hydrological, Marine and Related Environmental Services and Applications (SERCOM) is a 5-day event at WMO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

The conference aimed to present the latest scientific and technological advancements in meteorological observations, forecasts, advisories, and warnings. It also sought to emphasize the incorporation of meteorological information support services into the global air traffic management system.
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