Abuja: The Federal Government has committed to advancing meteorology to directly support sustainable development nationwide.
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 highlighted that the government’s commitment reflects a strategy to use early warning tools and climate science as drivers of 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.
He emphasised that reliable meteorological input is essential for safe, efficient, and sustainable aviation.
He added that beyond daily air safety, the government aimed to build an aviation industry capable of supporting the nation’s growing population and economic development.
Keyamo stressed that climate data is central to achieving ministry goals and building national resilience.
“The Ministry has been very supportive of 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 the major drivers used in the forecast as the El Niño–Southern Oscillation and the Indian Ocean Dipole.
Keyamo said 2026 indicators suggested a predominantly neutral ENSO phase—which means average ocean temperatures and wind patterns in the Pacific—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 both the public and private sectors.
