The meeting builds on the momentum of the ECOWAS Hydromet Initiative, launched in 2021 to assess and improve the operational capacity of NMHSs across the bloc.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has issued a stark warning over the region’s worsening climate crisis, calling for immediate action to strengthen national meteorological and hydrological services to protect lives and economies.
Speaking at the opening of the 14th Committee Meeting of ECOWAS Directors of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in Abuja, leaders from across the region outlined the critical need for accurate, real-time weather forecasting to combat the growing toll of climate-related disasters.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Massandje Touré-Litse, emphasized the link between effective hydromet services and disaster risk reduction. Represented by Mr. Yao Bernard Koffi, Acting Director of Environment and Natural Resources, she cited World Bank data showing that every dollar invested in early warning systems can yield up to nine dollars in avoided damages and increased productivity.
“We are facing more than an environmental challenge,” said Mr. Koffi. “The climate crisis is now a profound economic, social, and human challenge across West Africa.”
The meeting follows a surge in extreme weather events across the region, ranging from prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall to devastating floods, causing over $1.3 billion in damages and threatening regional food security and livelihoods.
Declaring the summit open, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, warned that the region is entering an era of unprecedented climate volatility. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional climate resilience and the modernization of weather and climate services.
“The stakes have never been higher. Accurate, timely, and actionable weather data is now critical to saving lives and sustaining livelihoods,” Mr. Keyamo said.
Also speaking at the event, Professor Charles Anosike, Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), described the summit as a springboard for collaborative solutions. He highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence, satellite technology, and big data in boosting forecasting accuracy and emergency preparedness.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) praised the initiative, with its Africa Representative, Dr. Agnes Kijazi, reaffirming the agency’s support for sustainable development through enhanced meteorological cooperation.
Chair of the ECOWAS Committee of NMHS Directors, Mr. Arthur Ghahn, said the committee would submit consensus-driven recommendations to ECOWAS leadership. These proposals will focus on expanding multi-hazard early warning systems, improving data sharing, and scaling up regional capacity-building efforts.
The three-day event gathered directors of meteorological services from all 15 ECOWAS member states, alongside development partners and climate-focused organizations, as the region confronts the escalating threats of climate change with a unified voice and strategy.
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