By Greg Odogwu
A rural farmer once asked me what meteorology was. I told him it is the science of knowing when it is going to rain and when it is not, so that one could prepare for the weather. He let out a high-pitched laugh as if what I said was some kind of joke. When he was done with his hilarious cackle, he looked me straight in the eye and said that I should have told him that meteorology was the art of running errands for God.
Seeing that I did not understand his comment, he sought to explain further in a way he believed would help me follow his reasoning. “From what you said, this is what I see. A meteorologist goes to God, gets information about rainfall, and comes back to tell us, the ordinary humans, what the Creator has in store for us. They fly back and forth between heaven and earth, but the only difference between them and angels is that they do not have wings.”
That was a long time ago. But this year, as we celebrate 140 years of weather science in Nigeria, I remember the wisdom of a rustic farmer who depicted the weather scientist’s job in a way that would make absolute sense to a kindergarten class. This is considering that even for an adult, meteorology is still a mystery of sort. Using arcane scientific methods and sophisticated equipment, these men and women stay in their laboratories and weather stations and tell us when it is going to rain; when it was going to stop raining; when bad weather would visit; when extreme weather phenomenon was going to strike; and so on.
Alas, they almost always happen as they predicted. This is why the world has learnt to depend on the meteorologist’s work for our collective comfort and survival.
In 2026, Nigeria marks 140 years of organised meteorological services, which started in 1886 – a milestone that underscores how deeply weather and climate science are woven into the country’s history, economy, and national security. From the earliest rainfall records taken in the late 19th century to today’s satellite-driven forecasts and seasonal climate outlooks, meteorology has evolved into a strategic pillar of national development. Over time, rudimentary rain gauges and thermometers gave way to synoptic stations, upper-air observations, radar systems, and satellite technology.
Let us go down memory lane. Meteorological observations in what is now Nigeria began under British colonial administration in the late 19th century. The first weather station was established in 1887 at Akassa (in today’s Bayelsa State), followed by others in Ilorin (1891), Lokoja (1909), Zungeru (1911), and Kano (1949). These early offices collected basic weather data and expanded Nigeria’s participation in formal meteorological services in West Africa. By 1937, weather observation became part of the British West African Meteorological Services—an early regional coordination framework. By 1949, meteorological work in Nigeria had matured into a full-fledged department, one of the major colonial governmental structures supporting both the aviation and agricultural sectors.
After independence in 1960, Nigeria continued to build on this foundation. The meteorological department was housed within various ministries, particularly the Federal Ministry of Aviation, due to its critical role in air traffic safety, agriculture, water resources, and climate research. During this period, Nigerian meteorologists also played prominent roles internationally, such as Godwin Olu Patrick Obasi, a Nigerian meteorologist who became Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organisation from 1984 to 2003 and helped shape global meteorological cooperation.
Recognising the growing importance of weather and climate information for national development, the Federal Executive Council approved the establishment of a dedicated agency. The NiMet (Establishment) Act 2003 was enacted by the National Assembly on May 21, 2003 and signed into law, taking effect on June 19, 2003. This law transformed the former Meteorological Department into an autonomous government agency – the Nigerian Meteorological Agency – tasked with providing national meteorological, climate, and hydrological services, advising government, and issuing forecasts critical for aviation, marine operations, agriculture, and disaster risk reduction.
The Act was later repealed and replaced with the NiMet Establishment Act 2022, which broadened NiMet’s mandate to become the sole authority for licensing and regulating meteorological stations and related services in Nigeria and aligned the Agency more closely with international practices.
The 140-year milestone is not just about longevity; it is about transformation, from handwritten weather logs to digital climate modelling; from local observations to global data integration. Indubitably, meteorology is vital for Nigeria for many reasons. First, in agriculture and food security, which employs a significant portion of Nigeria’s population. This sector is still largely rain-fed. As a result, accurate seasonal rainfall predictions guide farmers when to plant, what crop varieties to use, when to apply fertiliser, and how to prepare for dry spells or floods.
Seasonal Climate Predictions, a resource that is issued annually by NiMet, help reduce crop losses, improve yields, and strengthen food security. In a country where climate variability increasingly affects planting seasons, meteorological intelligence is not optional; it is essential.
Second, meteorology is very important for disaster risk reduction. Nigeria faces climate-related hazards, including flooding along the Niger and Benue River basins; coastal erosion and storm surges in the south; and drought and desertification in the north. Early warning systems powered by meteorological data enable authorities to issue flood alerts, heat advisories, and severe weather warnings. These forecasts save lives, protect infrastructure, and reduce economic losses. As climate change intensifies extreme weather events, meteorology becomes the frontline defence against disasters.
Third, meteorology is at the core of aviation safety. Safe air travel depends fundamentally on weather forecasting. The NiMet provides critical meteorological services to airports nationwide, including wind data, storm tracking, and visibility reports. From takeoff to landing, pilots rely on real-time meteorological information. Without accurate forecasting, aviation safety would be severely compromised. Meteorology, therefore, underpins both national mobility and international connectivity.
Fourth, meteorology helps the country in water resource management. Nigeria’s dams, irrigation systems, and hydropower plants depend on rainfall forecasts and hydrological modelling. Climate data support reservoir planning, urban water supply management, flood control strategies, and energy generation forecasting. With growing urban populations and increasing pressure on water systems, climate intelligence is central to sustainable water governance.
Fifth, meteorology is a major factor in our capacity for climate change adaptation. Nigeria is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts – rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, coastal threats, and ecosystem shifts. Meteorological research provides the scientific foundation for National Adaptation Plans; climate-smart agriculture; urban resilience strategies; and environmental policymaking. Without reliable climate data, adaptation efforts would lack direction and precision.
As a people, we must now consciously reflect on what it means to be at the fourteenth rung of the decade count in meteorological ascension. There are various windows to explore in order to engage pragmatically and improve the state of meteorology in our clime – institutional resilience, scientific progress, professional expertise and international collaboration.
While we celebrate generations of Nigerian meteorologists who have modernised observation networks, improved forecast accuracy, and expanded climate services into health, marine operations, and renewable energy, we must note that the future of meteorology in Nigeria lies in deeper community engagement, technological innovation, and youth participation in atmospheric sciences. In recent decades, the shift toward digital forecasting models, automated weather stations, and climate impact-based advisories demonstrates how far the field has evolved, and how being forward-thinking is not a development option, but a survival strategy. Ultimately, the story of meteorology in Nigeria is the story of national preparedness.
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