The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the University of Abuja have constituted a joint technical team to accelerate the implementation of the Smart Climate Project aimed at improving climate research, weather services and public access to climate information.
The decision was reached on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, and members of the institution’s management team to the Director-General of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, in Abuja.
Prof. Fawehinmi said the visit, made on behalf of the University’s Governing Council chaired by Senator Olanrewaju Tejuoso, was intended to deepen collaboration with NiMet and chart a clear path for the Smart Climate Project.
“We are here to advance discussions on the Smart Climate Project and explore other areas of mutual interest between the University and NiMet,” Fawehinmi said.
He noted that both institutions discussed collaboration in joint research, deployment of remote sensors, Geographic Information System (GIS) tools, weather stations, climate data application, academic-industry partnerships and knowledge exchange.
Welcoming the delegation, Prof. Anosike congratulated Fawehinmi on his appointment as substantive Vice-Chancellor and reaffirmed NiMet’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing relationship with the University.
“The University of Abuja is NiMet’s closest academic partner. More than 60 per cent of our interns come from the University, and we are proud of the relationship we have built over the years,” Anosike said.
He recalled NiMet’s support for the University’s weather station and announced plans to establish another one to enhance teaching, research and climate services.
“We will establish a new weather station at the University, but institutions must also ensure that NiMet-supported facilities are properly maintained to serve teaching, research and climate service delivery,” he added.
Both organisations agreed that making climate information more practical and accessible is critical to supporting students, researchers, farmers, planners and local communities in responding to climate challenges.
The meeting ended with the inauguration of a joint technical team that will identify priority areas of collaboration and coordinate the implementation of the Smart Climate Project, reinforcing efforts to bridge the gap between academic research and operational meteorological services.
