May 26, (THEWILL) – The Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has been elected President of the ECOWAS Committee of Directors of National Hydrological and Meteorological Services (NMHSs).
According to a statement issued by NiMet on Monday, Anosike was elected during the Committee’s 14th meeting, which was recently held in Abuja, Nigeria.
The ECOWAS Committee of Directors, comprising heads of NMHSs from across West Africa, fosters regional cooperation in weather, climate, and water services. Its core focus includes strengthening early warning systems, enhancing disaster risk reduction, and building climate resilience under the ECOWAS Hydromet Initiative.
In his acceptance speech, Professor Anosike pledged to deepen collaboration among member states, stating:
“As we confront the challenges of climate change, our collective action is crucial. I am honoured to lead this Committee at such a pivotal time.”
The meeting had in attendance delegates from ECOWAS member states—Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Cape Verde (virtually)—as well as key development partners, including the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), ACMAD, AGRHYMET, WASCAL, the ECOWAS Commission, the World Bank, and MOWCA.
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, officially opened the session alongside Dr. Ibrahim Kana, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary.
A key highlight of the meeting was the review of the “Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL)” initiative, which aims for full implementation across the region by 2027.
Anosike’s election reaffirms Nigeria’s leadership in advancing climate action, innovation, and coordination among meteorological and hydrological agencies in West Africa.
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