The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Charles Anosike, has been honoured with the 2026 Nigerian Educational Excellence Award in recognition of his contributions to advancing education through meteorology-driven initiatives.
The award was presented on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the Faculty of Education, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, where stakeholders highlighted NiMet’s growing influence beyond weather forecasting into academic development.
Represented at the ceremony by the Director of Weather Forecasting Services, Vincent Weli, Anosike described the recognition as a reflection of the agency’s commitment to knowledge advancement and innovation. He expressed appreciation to the organisers for the honour.
“As Director General of NiMet, I am privileged to lead an organisation whose impact extends beyond weather forecasting into the heart of our nation’s educational development”, Anosike said in a statement delivered on his behalf. “Through partnerships with educational institutions, we provide curriculum support, hands-on meteorological training, and access to critical climate data, equipping students and educators with practical tools for research and sustainable development”.
He added that NiMet’s initiatives, ranging from annual climate workshops to the integration of meteorological modules into university programmes have strengthened the link between science and society.
Anosike, who also serves as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of weather experts, researchers, and innovators.
“Today’s recognition inspires us to deepen these partnerships and ensure that meteorological knowledge remains central to Nigeria’s educational advancement”, he stated.
In his remarks, Weli noted that under Anosike’s leadership, NiMet has transformed meteorological science into a practical learning resource across classrooms and institutions nationwide. He said the agency has strengthened collaborations with tertiary institutions to integrate real-time weather data into disciplines such as meteorology, geography, environmental science, and agriculture.
According to him, NiMet has also prioritised the training of young professionals on modern forecasting tools, data analysis, and impact-based warning systems preparing them for the realities of a rapidly changing climate.
Weli further highlighted that the agency’s emphasis on open data access and clear communication has made its Seasonal Climate Prediction and daily Weather Outlook valuable teaching tools for lecturers, researchers, and students seeking to understand Nigeria’s climate dynamics.
“This award goes beyond technical innovation. It recognises Prof. Anosike’s belief that education is the bridge between scientific knowledge and national resilience”. Weli said. “By embedding training, mentorship, and research collaboration into NiMet’s core mandate, he has demonstrated how a public institution can serve both as a service provider and a key educational partner”.
Weli was accompanied to the event by NiMet’s Director of Legal Services, Shola Gabriel, and the Special Assistant on General Services to the Director General, Emmanuel Uket.