Weather Forecasting: NiMet Inaugurates AI Research, Integration Team To Strengthen Innovation
In Abuja on Tuesday, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike, unveiled the agency’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research and Integration Team—an initiative designed to accelerate innovation, deepen digital transformation, and elevate the quality of meteorological and climate services nationwide.
According to Prof. Anosike, the launch signals NiMet’s intent to complement decades of physics-based weather prediction with modern, AI-driven techniques. The move aligns with the Federal Government’s broader digital transformation agenda and supports ongoing efforts to modernize Nigeria’s meteorological infrastructure and services.
AI to Complement Proven Forecasting Science
NiMet’s strategy centers on hybrid forecasting models that blend traditional numerical weather prediction with machine-learning tools. By fusing AI with established physics-based methods, the agency expects to boost the speed, accuracy, and accessibility of forecasts—particularly for time-sensitive applications and localized insights.
The approach is designed to unlock gains across the forecast lifecycle, from data assimilation and model tuning to post-processing and user-facing services. Faster model updates and improved pattern recognition could help forecasters deliver more precise warnings and targeted advisories, supporting both everyday decision-making and emergency responses.
Mandate of the AI Research and Integration Team
The newly constituted technical team has a dual remit: to chart best practices for responsible AI in meteorology and to operationalize those practices within NiMet’s forecasting systems. Its core responsibilities include:
- Identifying opportunities for AI across the forecast workflow, from observation to dissemination.
- Defining standards and governance for data quality, model validation, and ethical use of AI.
- Integrating machine-learning tools into NiMet’s operational platforms to enhance forecast performance.
- Ensuring interoperability with existing systems and compliance with national and sectoral regulations.
Building Internal Capacity for Sustainable Innovation
Prof. Anosike emphasized that developing in-house AI expertise is critical to sustaining NiMet’s leadership among government agencies deploying advanced technology. The focus is on responsible, mission-driven adoption—ensuring that new tools measurably support aviation safety, climate-smart agriculture, disaster risk reduction, and broader national development goals.
To that end, members of the AI Research and Integration Team have been drawn from across NiMet’s units, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach that brings together operational forecasters, data scientists, IT specialists, and policy leads. This cross-functional model is intended to accelerate research-to-operations pipelines and strengthen institutional knowledge.
Advancing Service Delivery and Public Value
NiMet’s push into AI responds to growing demand for more timely, granular, and user-friendly weather information. Enhancements in forecast accuracy and dissemination can support safer flights, optimize planting and harvesting windows, and improve early warning systems for floods, storms, and heatwaves. By delivering clearer insights faster, the agency aims to help businesses, communities, and government agencies make better decisions under uncertainty.
The inauguration of the AI team marks another milestone in NiMet’s broader modernization program, which emphasizes digital tools, research-driven solutions, and continuous service improvement. As the initiative progresses, the agency plans to refine models, expand datasets, and embed rigorous evaluation to ensure that AI additions demonstrably improve outcomes for end users.
With this step, NiMet underscores a pragmatic path: harness cutting-edge AI while preserving the rigor of established meteorological science—delivering a new generation of weather and climate services tailored to Nigeria’s needs.
