The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has joined forces with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) to host a comprehensive five-day capacity-building workshop focusing on Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) and its applications in climate services.
The workshop, themed “Advancing the Use of Numerical Weather Prediction in Operational Forecasting in Nigeria”’ is being conducted at NiMet headquarters in Abuja.
The director-general of NiMet, Prof. Mansur Matazu emphasised the significance of this training, highlighting its uniqueness as a collaborative effort between NiMet and WMO aimed at enhancing the technical expertise of the agency’s staff. He underscored NiMet’s role in bolstering the sustainable development of the nation, showcasing its range of services including public weather forecasts for diverse stakeholders and the general public, government support services, critical data provision for policymakers and customised offerings tailored to specific sectors of the national economy.
Matazu pointed out that NiMet’s impact extends beyond Nigeria’s borders, providing daily weather forecasts to African nations such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, Gambia, Niger and more. He further stressed that the efficacy of these services rests upon the proficient staff at NiMet. Given this context, he expressed the importance of enhancing their capabilities in effectively utilising numerical weather prediction services. The training, he stated, is geared towards boosting staff productivity and enhancing service quality.
The director-general commended the World Meteorological Organisation for spearheading this important initiative. He encouraged participants to fully capitalize on the opportunity, underscoring that elevated proficiency in Numerical Weather Prediction would facilitate the development of innovative meteorological products and services, ultimately augmenting NiMet’s contribution to global meteorological services.
The training’s resource person, Mr. Kyung Park, an expert seconded by the Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA) to the WMO Education and Training (ETR) department in Geneva, lauded NiMet for its accurate forecasts. He highlighted the workshop’s significance in shedding light on novel meteorological products and services generated by the Numerical Weather Prediction Unit, along with their usage and interpretation. He emphasised that the training would significantly enhance participants’ expertise and overall efficiency at NiMet.
The collaboration between NiMet and WMO exemplifies both organisations’ dedication to advancing meteorological capabilities and ensuring the dissemination of accurate and valuable weather information to the global community. This endeavour signifies a step towards a more informed and resilient world in the face of weather-related challenges.
