The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has officially unveiled the Preparation for Use of Meteosat in Africa (PUMA 2025) and Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA) Satellite Receiving System, a cutting-edge platform equipped with the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) technology from the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT).
This state-of-the-art system, donated to Nigeria by the African Union Commission (AUC) and deployed by Tecnavia SA, with funding from the European Union (EU), was presented today at NiMet’s headquarters in Abuja. The system’s installation is scheduled for later this week.
During the unveiling, NiMet’s director-general, Professor Charles Anosike, underscored the transformative potential of the MTG system in revolutionising weather forecasting in Nigeria. He stated that the MTG’s advanced capabilities would significantly improve the resolution, quality and frequency of meteorological data, thereby enhancing the accuracy and timeliness of weather forecasts and early warnings.
Anosike further noted that the PUMA 2025 system’s deployment aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership to bolster weather services and strengthen early warning systems for the protection of lives and property nationwide. He explained that this new system is a substantial upgrade from the PUMA 2015 model, which will be decommissioned by the end of 2026.
He expressed gratitude to both the African Union and the European Union for their continued support, reaffirming that the PUMA 2025 system will help NiMet provide more precise weather predictions, boosting Nigeria’s preparedness for extreme weather events. The installation will be followed by a formal certification and commissioning ceremony at the weekend.
