By Atlantic Reports

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has called on federal and state governments to strengthen measures protecting lives, livelihoods and essential public services against the growing effects of climate variability, warning that failure to act on early warnings could turn preventable hazards into human tragedies.

NiMet's Director-General, Professor Charles Anosike, made the call on Friday, October 9, 2026, at the International Conference of Bells University of Technology in Ota, Ogun State.

Anosike said climate-related disruptions were increasingly affecting agriculture, water resources, healthcare, infrastructure and livelihoods across Nigeria, making the protection of human capital an urgent national development priority.

He argued that government responses must extend beyond emergency relief to include preparedness measures that protect people before, during and after climate-related disasters.

According to him, climate information should guide decisions affecting schools, hospitals, farming communities and vulnerable households rather than remain confined to meteorological reports.

Climate Change Threatens Health, Education and Livelihoods

Speaking as the conference's keynote presenter, Anosike described human capital protection as both a social responsibility and an economic necessity.

Human capital encompasses people's health, knowledge, skills and productive capabilities, all of which can be undermined by recurring climate-related emergencies.

Flooding can interrupt schooling, damage health facilities, destroy farmland and displace households. Extreme heat can affect outdoor workers, schoolchildren and people with existing health vulnerabilities.

Changes in rainfall patterns can also disrupt agricultural production, affecting food availability, household income and economic stability.

For communities dependent on farming, fishing, trading and other climate-sensitive occupations, these disruptions can have consequences long after an immediate emergency has passed.

Anosike maintained that protecting human capital requires governments to anticipate such risks and integrate climate considerations into public policy.

Hospitals Must Prepare Before Climate Emergencies

The NiMet chief identified healthcare as a critical sector where climate forecasts could support preventive action.

He explained that heat alerts could help authorities develop safer work-rest schedules and prepare health facilities for periods of increased demand.

For workers exposed to high temperatures, including farmers, construction workers and traders operating outdoors, timely information could support measures to reduce heat-related illness.

Similarly, flood and disease forecasts could help health authorities arrange essential medicines, prepare medical personnel and strengthen access to safe drinking water before emergencies occur.

Such measures are particularly important in communities where flooding can contaminate water sources, disrupt sanitation and restrict access to healthcare.

Anosike's position highlights the importance of cooperation between meteorological agencies, health authorities, emergency management institutions and local governments.

Weather forecasts can identify potential hazards, but their public health value depends on whether relevant agencies use the information to implement appropriate preventive measures.

Schools, Feeding Programmes Should Reflect Local Climate Risks

Anosike also urged education authorities to consider climate risks when planning school activities and support programmes.

He said school calendars, feeding programmes and learning continuity arrangements should reflect the environmental challenges facing different communities.

The recommendation is particularly relevant to areas affected by seasonal flooding, prolonged heat or other weather-related disruptions.

When schools become inaccessible or facilities are damaged, children may lose valuable learning time.

Disruptions to school feeding programmes can also affect pupils who depend on those meals for part of their daily nutrition.

Climate-sensitive education planning could therefore include contingency arrangements for learning, safer school infrastructure and strategies for maintaining essential support during emergencies.

However, such planning would require reliable local forecasts, adequate funding and coordination between education authorities and disaster management institutions.

NiMet Calls for Climate-Resilient Skills Development

Beyond emergency preparedness, Anosike identified climate adaptation as an opportunity to equip young Nigerians with skills relevant to changing economic conditions.

He urged governments and educational institutions to strengthen training in climate services, resilient agriculture, water management, renewable energy and data science.

Other areas he highlighted included equipment repair, agricultural storage and sustainable processing.

These skills could support employment opportunities while helping communities adapt to environmental pressures.

For example, improved agricultural storage and processing can help reduce losses after harvesting, while effective water management can support farming activities during periods of irregular rainfall.

Technical knowledge in renewable energy and equipment maintenance could also support local enterprises and essential services.

Anosike's recommendations suggest that climate adaptation should form part of broader education, vocational training and employment strategies.

The challenge for policymakers will be translating these priorities into accessible training programmes, particularly for young people in rural and underserved communities.

Early Warnings Must Lead to Early Action

The NiMet Director-General stressed that climate intelligence must be local, timely and practical.

He called for stronger links between seasonal climate predictions, sub-seasonal updates, short-range weather forecasts and impact-based warnings.

Seasonal forecasts provide information about expected weather patterns over longer periods, while shorter-range forecasts can help authorities respond to more immediate threats.

Impact-based warnings go further by explaining the potential consequences of weather conditions for people, infrastructure and economic activities.

Anosike argued that combining these forms of information would help government agencies and communities make better decisions.

He warned that issuing forecasts without taking appropriate action would not be enough to protect lives.

His remarks underscored a persistent challenge in disaster risk management: the gap between identifying a threat and implementing measures to reduce its consequences.

A warning about possible flooding, for instance, can only achieve its purpose when communities receive the information in time and have practical options for protecting themselves.

These may include clearing drainage channels, securing essential supplies, protecting vulnerable residents and preparing evacuation arrangements where necessary.

Communities Must Be Central to Disaster Preparedness

Anosike emphasised that effective climate adaptation requires cooperation across government institutions and communities.

“The government at all levels must lead, because no one agency can do it alone, as the community is the first responder before help arrives,” he said.

The statement highlights the role of local residents, community organisations and traditional institutions in responding to emergencies.

In many rural and riverine settlements, communities may experience the immediate effects of flooding or severe weather before external emergency services arrive.

Local preparedness can therefore make a significant difference, particularly where transportation, communication and emergency response infrastructure are limited.

However, community participation should complement, rather than replace, government's responsibility to provide adequate protection, infrastructure and emergency services.

Authorities must ensure that warnings reach residents in accessible formats and languages, including people without reliable internet access.

Special attention is also needed for older people, children, persons with disabilities and households facing financial barriers to evacuation or recovery.

Conference Links Climate Action to Africa's Development

Anosike delivered his remarks at the 2026 International Conference of Bells University of Technology, organised in collaboration with the DepeCOS Institutions and Development Research Centre.

The three-day event, held from October 7 to 9, focused on the theme, “Harnessing Climate Action, Sustainable Food Systems and Human Capital Development for Well-being in Africa”.

The conference brought together discussions on the relationship between environmental sustainability, food production and the development of people's capabilities.

For Nigeria and other African countries, these issues are closely connected.

Agricultural disruptions can affect food prices and household nutrition, while climate-related damage to schools and health facilities can undermine long-term development.

The conference theme therefore reflects the need to consider climate adaptation alongside economic planning, public health, education and food security.

Turning Climate Information Into Public Protection

NiMet's warning raises important questions about the readiness of governments to act on weather and climate information.

While forecasting agencies can provide scientific guidance, implementing protective measures requires coordinated action by ministries, emergency management agencies, local authorities and service providers.

Effective preparedness also depends on sustained funding, clear institutional responsibilities and monitoring systems capable of assessing whether interventions reach communities at risk.

For Nigeria, priorities include ensuring that flood warnings reach vulnerable settlements, health facilities prepare for climate-related emergencies and schools develop practical continuity plans.

Governments must also consider whether climate adaptation programmes are reaching farmers, informal workers and low-income households whose livelihoods are particularly exposed to environmental disruptions.

The NiMet chief's message was that climate forecasting should not be treated as an isolated scientific activity.

Its value lies in helping institutions and communities make decisions that prevent harm and protect development gains.

As climate-related risks continue to challenge Nigeria's public services and economy, the central test will be whether governments can turn timely warnings into practical action before lives and livelihoods are lost.

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