the Vice-Chancellor University of Abuja, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi (R), during a courtesy visit of the University management team to NiMet office in Abuja recently.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the University of Abuja have advanced discussions on the Smart Climate Project and explored other areas of mutual benefit
This was the goal of a recent visit by the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, who led a delegation of the University’s management team on a courtesy visit to the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, in Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, Fawehinmi said the delegation came on behalf of the Governing Council of the University of Abuja, now Yakubu Gowon University, chaired by Distinguished Senator Dr. Olanrewaju Tejuoso. He noted that the engagement was designed to strengthen the existing partnership between both institutions and drive practical solutions through climate science.
Discussions covered key areas for collaboration including joint research initiatives, deployment of remote sensors, use of GIS tools, installation and maintenance of weather stations, improved access to climate data, stronger academic-industry linkages, and structured knowledge exchange.
In his welcome address, Anosike congratulated Fawehinmi on his appointment as substantive Vice-Chancellor. He described the University of Abuja as NiMet’s closest academic partner, pointing out that over 60 per cent of NiMet’s interns are drawn from the University. He also recalled NiMet’s earlier support in the establishment of the University’s weather station.
The NiMet Director General urged universities to take ownership of NiMet-supported weather stations to ensure they remain operational for teaching, research, and public climate services. He further pledged to install a new weather station at the University of Abuja to boost data capture and learning.
Both parties agreed that the Smart Climate Project must make climate information more accessible, practical, and useful to students, researchers, farmers, urban planners, and local communities.
To drive this forward, a joint technical team comprising experts from NiMet and the University of Abuja was set up. The team will define collaboration priorities, align resources, and guide the implementation of agreed activities under the Smart Climate Project.