The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has issued a warning that West Africa and the entire African continent face significant risks from severe climate-related disasters.
Speaking at the opening of a regional workshop for ECOWAS Directors of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in Abuja on Tuesday, Keyamo highlighted the increasing frequency and severity of climate-induced disasters, which disproportionately affect vulnerable communities.
He noted that these challenges have wide-ranging effects on food security, water availability, public health, transport, energy systems, livelihoods, national security, and socio-economic stability.
“West Africa now faces numerous weather and climate threats, including erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, intense thunderstorms, destructive windstorms, flooding, rising temperatures, and sea levels,” he stated.
“This meeting comes at a crucial time, providing an opportunity to assess the region’s preparedness to meet early warning targets.”
Keyamo referenced the World Meteorological Organisation’s (WMO) 2023 State of the Climate Report, which estimates that climate-related hazards cost African countries between two and five per cent of their GDP annually. He added that many West African nations allocate up to nine per cent of their budgets to respond to climate extremes, noting agricultural shortfalls caused by rainfall deficits in 2023.
“The role of meteorological and hydrological services has never been more vital. Accurate, timely, and actionable weather information is essential to save lives, protect livelihoods, and promote sustainable development,” he said.
The minister also praised Nigeria’s Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), established in 2003 and updated in 2022, for its mandate to provide critical weather and climate data for safety and socio-economic progress.
“NiMet has grown into a modern, science-driven agency and a trusted leader in the ECOWAS region. Its pioneering work on Seasonal Climate Prediction serves as a model for neighbouring services,” Keyamo noted.
He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to strengthening NiMet through investments in modernisation, capacity building, and international cooperation.
Recalling the United Nations’ Early Warning for All (EW4All) initiative, Keyamo emphasised Nigeria’s full support for ensuring everyone is protected from hazardous weather events by 2027.
“This meeting demonstrates our shared dedication to regional cooperation and recognition of the critical role meteorological services play in sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, and climate adaptation,” he added.
Earlier, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs Massandje Toure-Litse, highlighted West Africa’s vulnerability to climate change and the region’s limited data and infrastructure to build resilience.
She cited ECOWAS Early Warning and Response Network data showing a 47 per cent increase in flood incidents between 2021 and 2024, affecting over five million people and causing over $1.3 billion in damages.
Toure-Litse also noted a study finding that climate disruptions reduced agricultural productivity by up to 10 per cent in 2024, worsening food insecurity and inflation.
“The situation will worsen if global temperatures rise to 1.5°C by 2030–2052 without mitigation,” she warned.
She stressed the urgent need to enhance hydrological and meteorological services, known collectively as hydromet services, to deliver accurate forecasts to all populations, especially in rural areas.
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“Access to timely data is critical,” she said, quoting the World Bank’s estimate that every dollar invested in early warning systems returns nine dollars in avoided losses and increased productivity.
NiMet Director-General, Prof. Charles Anosike, underscored the workshop’s aim to agree on practical steps to improve meteorological and hydrological service delivery in the region.
He highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence, satellite technology, big data, and partnerships to advance forecasting accuracy and user engagement.
“With the increasing frequency of extreme weather events from floods and droughts to heatwaves and storms our economies, aviation, food security, water resources, and national security face significant risks,” he concluded.
