To address the impacts of climate change on river basin hydrology and water resource management, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority (AIRBDA) are set for a deepened partnership to be backed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
During a meeting at the NiMet headquarters in Abuja, the Director General/CEO of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike, and the Managing Director/CEO of AIRBDA, Rt. Hon. Emeka Nduka, discussed ways to enhance collaboration. Anosike highlighted the significant impact of climate change on rainfall patterns and temperature, which can alter river basin hydrology and threaten livelihoods, infrastructure, and food security.
He emphasised that meteorology and river basins are inherently interconnected.
“These changes can significantly alter the hydrology of river basins, resulting in increased frequency and intensity of floods or droughts, which threaten livelihoods, critical infrastructure, and food security,” he noted.
“Meteorological elements such as rainfall and temperature directly influence a basin’s hydrological behavior, while the physical characteristics of river basins can, in turn, shape local weather and climate patterns,” he explained.
He pointed to NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) as a critical tool for early warning and planning. “Our flagship SCP provides vital information that, if effectively utilized, can help policymakers anticipate and respond to weather extremes, especially flood disasters,” he said, calling for enhanced collaboration between the two agencies in support of agricultural planning and integrated water resource management.
In his remarks, Rt. Hon. Emeka Nduka expressed appreciation for the warm reception by the NiMet team and emphasised AIRBDA’s interest in strengthening technical cooperation with the agency. He acknowledged the importance of NiMet’s data and services in enhancing irrigation activities and managing dam infrastructure amid changing climatic realities.
The meeting concluded with a joint commitment to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening cooperation, sharing expertise, and collaborating to build resilience, promote food security, and support sustainable development across the southeastern corridor of Nigeria.
The two agencies aim to leverage NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) to provide early warnings and support agricultural planning and integrated water resource management.