The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zari...
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, have entered into a strategic partnership to advance research and innovation in climatology, nuclear science, and environmental analysis.
As part of the collaboration, NiMet will install a mini-Automatic Weather Station (AWOS) at CERT to support licensing requirements for the Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1).
The agreement was formalized in Abuja on Monday, June 30, 2025, through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions. The Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, signed the MoU on behalf of CERT, while NiMet’s Director-General and CEO, Prof. Charles Anosike, signed for the agency.
According to the Public Affairs Directorate of ABU, "NiMet will collaborate with the institution’s energy research centre towards the promotion and downscaling of Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), as well as maintain the meteorological instruments installed in the mini-automatic weather station."
The agency has also pledged to provide access to meteorological and climate data for staff and students of CERT engaged in teaching, research, and training—subject to its data policy.
Both institutions committed to working together on high-impact research in meteorology, climatology, nuclear science, and materials analysis. The MoU outlines terms for joint funding and collaborative operations.
NiMet, under the agreement, will further identify locations for gaseous and Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) mapping around airports, and will provide funding for consumables necessary for nuclear science instrumentation training.
CERT, on its part, will allocate suitable land for the weather station and provide the infrastructure and technical support needed for its operations. It will also assist in soil fertility analysis aimed at improving NiMet’s seasonal climate predictions and climate-smart agriculture initiatives.
The centre is additionally expected to enhance NiMet’s technical capacity in harmattan dust analysis, gaseous mapping, and NORM evaluation, while training agency personnel in nuclear science and environmental analytical techniques.
Furthermore, CERT will use its expertise to support the development of NiMet’s core climate products, including the E-SCP, Annual Climate Review Bulletin, Quarterly Climate Review Bulletin, Agro-Meteorological Bulletin, and Drought and Flood Monitoring Bulletin.
The MoU signing was witnessed by Malam Rabiu Samaila, Registrar of ABU; Prof. S.A. Jonah, Director of CERT; and Malam Hamza Sani, Administrative Secretary, Physical Planning and Municipal Services.
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