ABOUT US

November 2, 2010 | admin

 

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) came into existence by an Act of the National Assembly – NIMET (Establishment) ACT 2003, enacted on 21st May 2003, and became effective on 19th June 2003 following Presidential assent. The Agency has three core professional Departments, namely – Weather Forecasting Services (WFS), Applied Meteorological Services (AMS), and Research and Training (R&T). The support Directorates includes Engineering and Technical Services (ETS), Finance and Accounts (FA), Administration and Supplies (AS), and Legal Services (LS) (which also serves as Secretary to the Board).
 

 

The VISION of the Agency is:
To provide weather, climate and water information and services for sustainable development and safety of lives and property

 

The overall MISSION of NIMET is:
 
·        To observe Nigerian weather and climate and provide meteorological, hydrological and oceanographic services in support of national needs and international obligations.

 

The services the Agency provides are applied to issues of human and environmental sustainability, policy development, and safe operations of air, land and marine transportation. Others include agricultural production, tourism, health, defense, education, sports, construction etc. NIMET is also engaged in the monitoring, management and mitigation of natural disasters and climate change impacts, and corporative interaction within the framework of global practice in the science of meteorology.

In recent times, focus is on issues of concern the sensitivity of environmental systems to human activities, air safety, climate variability and change, the greenhouse effect, global warming, destruction of the (protective) ozone layer, vulnerability to natural hazards, protection of land and water resources, and renewable energy. 

NIMET, in compliance with government directives to produce consumer-oriented services, commits itself to effective prescription of climatic requirements for all sectoral activities in Nigeria. It provides public and policymakers with the necessary meteorological and climatological information and advisories in response to the extreme weather and climate impacts.

 

Functions
The basic function of NIMET is to provide weather and climate forecasts, warnings and other meteorological, hydrological, and climate information for public welfare and for the protection of life and property. Thus, as an Agency tasked with the provision of meteorological services, it is the responsibility of NIMET to co-ordinate and manage the production of services that pertain to the application of meteorology and climatology to key sectors of the economy. These include but not limited to agriculture, environment, water resources management, marine transportation, hydroelectric power (and other renewable power) generation, health, oil and gas explorations, construction, etc.

 

NIMET (Establishment Act 2003, part III) vests in the Agency, the responsibility to advise the Federal Government on all aspects of meteorology; project, prepare and interpret government policy in the field of meteorology; and to issue weather (and climate) forecasts for the safe operations of aircrafts, ocean going vessels and oil rigs. The Act also makes it the responsibility of the Agency to observe, collate, collect, process and disseminate all meteorological data and information within and outside; co-ordinate research activities among staff, and publish scientific papers in the various branches of meteorology in support of sustainable socio-economic activities in Nigeria.

Dr Anthony C. Anuforom, an Atmospheric Physicist, is the second substantive Director General / Chief Executive Officer of the Agency. He is also the Permanent Representative of Nigeria with World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). Under his leadership and with NIMET’s statutory responsibility of providing basic and specific weather and climate information for general public and private purposes, the Agency thrives to improve its services in support of the 7-Point Agenda of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for sustainable development.