By Gabriel Agbeja
The Federal Government says it will advance meteorology to enhance sustainable development across the country.
Meteorology is the scientific study of the Earth’s atmosphere, focusing on short-term weather phenomena, processes, and forecasting.
Mr Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, said this at the public presentation of the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) on Tuesday in Abuja.
Keyamo said the level of government representation showed readiness to deploy early warning tools and climate science for sustainable development.
“Permit me to state that the Seasonal Climate Prediction directly aligned with the priorities of the present administration. It is an example of science for action.
”This is to translate complex climate signals into clear and actionable guidance for decision‑makers across all sectors of the Nigerian economy.
“As the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, and the Minister in charge of meteorology, I recognise that safe, efficient, and sustainable aviation cannot exist without reliable meteorological input,’’ he said.
He added that beyond daily air safety, government aimed to build an aviation industry capable of supporting the nation’s growing population and economic development.
Keyamo said climate data remained critical to achieving the ministry’s goals and strengthening national resilience.
“The Ministry has been very supportive to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and will continue to do so to ensure that the Nigerian people have access to the best weather and climate information and services.
‘’The credibility of any climate forecast lies in its scientific foundation. This foundation was laid 140 years ago in 1886 when the first weather observing station was established.
“Through these years, the science of meteorology in Nigeria has grown in leaps and bounds, transitioning into efficient service delivery in the weather and climate services value chain embodied by the NiMet,’’ he said.
Keyamo said NiMet remained central to aviation safety, resilience and development of architecture by safeguarding aviation operations and supporting agriculture.
He added that it had also promoted water resources management, disaster risk reduction, health services, energy planning, and transportation for over a century.
He commended the agency for consistently fulfilling its mandate across critical sectors of national development.
He listed major drivers used for the forecast to include the El Niño–Southern Oscillation and the Indian Ocean Dipole.
Keyamo said 2026 indicators suggested a predominantly neutral ENSO phase, with implications for rainfall distribution, temperature patterns and sectoral risks nationwide.
The minister said the 2026 SCP was based on global best practices, combining meteorological science with long-term climatological data and climate drivers.
He added that the scientific robustness of the SCP made it a trusted reference for policy formulation, investment planning and risk management in public and private sectors. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi
