The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has revived its long-dormant carpentry workshop at the Regional Training Centre (RTC) in Oshodi, Lagos.
The workshop now produces furniture and woodwork for the agency’s operations and accepts external orders for customised carpentry projects. During a recent visit, staff were observed manufacturing in-house Stevenson Screens—essential meteorological instruments used to house devices like thermometers, hygrometers and barometers.
Stevenson Screens are wooden enclosures designed to protect weather instruments from direct sunlight and precipitation while allowing free airflow. Painted white to reflect sunlight, they ensure accurate measurements of temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure. These screens are critical for reliable meteorological observations.
Beyond the Stevenson Screens, the workshop produces a range of quality items, including classroom furniture, beds, and office furnishings.
NiMet’s director-general and chief executive officer, Prof. Charles Anosike described the workshop’s reactivation as a pivotal step toward reviving the entrepreneurial units of the RTC. “This initiative ensures prompt availability of essential instruments and guarantees quality items meeting global standards as specified by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO),” he explained. He also noted that the effort serves as a capacity-building and local content development strategy, enhancing workforce productivity and utilising the agency’s human resources effectively.
Coordinator of learning and development at WMO headquarters in Geneva, Dr. Paul Bugeac commended NiMet’s leadership during a recent re-accreditation visit to the RTC. He praised the workshop’s high-quality products and urged the Agency to sustain its exemplary efforts, describing it as a model for other meteorological organisations in the region.
