The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike, has showcased Nigeria’s growing leadership in the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to weather forecasting, calling for greater investment in observation systems to improve climate services and food security across Africa.
Anosike, who is also Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), made the call while participating in the WMO Executive Council Side Event on “Scaling AI-Powered Weather Services for Farmers” at the organisation’s headquarters.
The high-level event brought together global policymakers, meteorological experts and development partners to explore how AI can transform weather forecasting, strengthen climate services for agriculture and support food security through innovation and strategic partnerships.
Addressing participants, Anosike stressed that the success of AI-powered weather forecasting depends on the availability of reliable observational data. He noted that closing observation and data gaps across Africa remains critical to unlocking the full benefits of AI in meteorology.
Highlighting NiMet’s progress, he said the agency inaugurated its AI Research Team in January 2026 to spearhead the identification, evaluation and operational deployment of AI and machine learning technologies.
According to him, NiMet has since developed key implementation frameworks, including AI Terms of Reference (TOR), Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), an AI Operational Framework with phased milestones, and documented AI use cases to guide the integration of the technology into its operations.
Anosike disclosed that the agency is currently evaluating leading AI weather prediction models while developing the MeteoAI platform to improve weather forecasting, climate prediction, forecast verification and early warning services. He added that NiMet is also assessing the most cost-effective computing infrastructure required for full-scale operational deployment of AI.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to innovation, the NiMet boss said the adoption of AI and modern geospatial technologies would strengthen operational meteorology and accelerate the implementation of the Early Warnings for All initiative across Africa.
He noted that the initiative is aimed at providing farmers, disaster managers and vulnerable communities with more timely, accurate and actionable weather and climate information to enhance resilience and support sustainable agricultural productivity.