The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has commissioned its Meteorological Data Rescue Project designed to improve the accuracy and timeliness of weather and climate alerts across the country.
Director General of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike,who inspected and commissioned the project on Wednesday in Abuja said it would focus on recovering, preserving, and digitising decades of historical weather records critical for detecting climate trends and extreme weather patterns.
The rescued data drawn from handwritten observation logs, ship records, and early instrumental measurements provides long-term climate baselines that enable forecasters to better understand the frequency, intensity, and spatial distribution of hazards such as floods, droughts, heatwaves, and severe storms.
It is essential for improving impact-based forecasts and strengthening early warning dissemination.
Speaking during the commissioning, Professor Anosike noted that effective early warning systems depend on high-quality, long-term data.
He explained that the project enhances NiMet’s capacity to issue more reliable and actionable warnings, helping governments, communities, and critical sectors to anticipate hazards, reduce losses, and protect lives and livelihoods.
According to him, the initiative aligns with the World Meteorological Organization’s Early Warnings for All framework and supports the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda by embedding science and data-driven risk management into national development and disaster preparedness strategies.
With the successful commissioning of the Data Rescue Project, NiMet reinforces its role as a frontline institution in Nigeria’s disaster risk reduction architecture, using historical climate intelligence to strengthen early warning systems and build a safer, more resilient nation.
