To mitigate the health risks posed by climate change, key Nigerian agencies led by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have commenced the co-development of a national multi-hazard early warning system, reports ITREALMS.
The initiative, flagged off at the National Early Warning Services for Health (WISER) workshop held at the WMO Regional Training Center in Oshodi, Lagos, is a direct response to Nigeria’s third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0).
Published in 2025, the NDC 3.0 sets an ambitious target to implement integrated climate, health, and environmental early warning systems in at least 18 states by 2030.
The workshop addresses the urgent need to combat respiratory illnesses, vector-borne diseases, and food insecurity driven by pollution and ecosystem degradation. By integrating meteorological data with health surveillance, the initiative aims to create a predictive system that allows for proactive rather than reactive responses to disaster-related health risks.
Hosted by NiMet in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), the National Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the event underscores a shift toward cross-sectoral interoperability.
The workshop is part of the WISER Health (Weather and Climate Information Services for Health) global initiative, co-funded by the UK Government and the Rockefeller Foundation, with implementation led by the UK Met Office.
International experts from the World Bank, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), World Health Organization (WHO), and the UK Health Security Agency are providing technical guidance on policy and operations.
Speaking on the significance of the project, Juliet Whitley, Head of Health at the British High Commission in Abuja, noted “Nigeria is leading the way in developing an early warning system that will better enable its health sector to prepare for and respond to extreme weather. The UK is proud to support Nigeria’s commitment to building a health system that is more resilient to climate change.”
Dr. Zakariya Mohammed, Director of Climate Change and Environmental Health at the Federal Ministry of Health, emphasized the policy alignment, declared that “With the integration of health considerations into Nigeria’s recently submitted NDC 3.0, this workshop provides an excellent starting point for collaborative efforts toward establishing an operational early warning system for climate and health in Nigeria.”
Representing the disaster management sector, Isa Abulkasir, Chief Disaster Risk Reduction Officer at NEMA, said “NEMA is committed to leveraging climate information and early warning systems to mitigate health risks... building a safer, more resilient future for all Nigerians.”
To ensure the system is usable and inclusive, a community-level survey conducted across Nigeria’s regions will inform the system’s design. This "bottom-up" approach ensures that data products are tailored to the specific needs of vulnerable populations.
A NiMet spokesperson reaffirmed the agency's resolve, stating: “Building an efficient early warning system is not just a scientific responsibility; it is a national imperative. We are working to ensure timely, accurate, and impact-based forecasts translate into early action.”
Remmy Nweke/DoP
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Published in 2025, the NDC 3.0 sets an ambitious target to implement integrated climate, health, and environmental early warning systems in at least 18 states by 2030.
The workshop addresses the urgent need to combat respiratory illnesses, vector-borne diseases, and food insecurity driven by pollution and ecosystem degradation. By integrating meteorological data with health surveillance, the initiative aims to create a predictive system that allows for proactive rather than reactive responses to disaster-related health risks.
Hosted by NiMet in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), the National Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the event underscores a shift toward cross-sectoral interoperability.
The workshop is part of the WISER Health (Weather and Climate Information Services for Health) global initiative, co-funded by the UK Government and the Rockefeller Foundation, with implementation led by the UK Met Office.
International experts from the World Bank, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), World Health Organization (WHO), and the UK Health Security Agency are providing technical guidance on policy and operations.
Speaking on the significance of the project, Juliet Whitley, Head of Health at the British High Commission in Abuja, noted “Nigeria is leading the way in developing an early warning system that will better enable its health sector to prepare for and respond to extreme weather. The UK is proud to support Nigeria’s commitment to building a health system that is more resilient to climate change.”
Representing the disaster management sector, Isa Abulkasir, Chief Disaster Risk Reduction Officer at NEMA, said “NEMA is committed to leveraging climate information and early warning systems to mitigate health risks... building a safer, more resilient future for all Nigerians.”
To ensure the system is usable and inclusive, a community-level survey conducted across Nigeria’s regions will inform the system’s design. This "bottom-up" approach ensures that data products are tailored to the specific needs of vulnerable populations.
A NiMet spokesperson reaffirmed the agency's resolve, stating: “Building an efficient early warning system is not just a scientific responsibility; it is a national imperative. We are working to ensure timely, accurate, and impact-based forecasts translate into early action.”
Remmy Nweke/DoP
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