Aviation Minister Receives AGRHYMET Delegation, Reaffirms Nigeria’s Commitment To Cooperation On Climate
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN) has reaffirmed Nigeria’s firm commitment to regional cooperation and climate resilience efforts.
He made this known when he received the Director General of AGRHYMET Regional Centre, Dr. Issoufou Baoua, who led a high-level delegation to the Ministry as part of the Joint Mission on the operationalization of the Regional Climate Centre for West Africa and the Sahel (RCC-WAS).
Dr. Baoua was accompanied by senior officials including Abdou Ali (AGRHYMET), Alhassane Agoli, Bernard Edward Gomez (WMO Representative for North, Central and West Africa), and former Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu. The mission was jointly undertaken in company of the current DG/CEO of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike.
The visit centred on strengthening collaboration toward the full operationalization of RCC-WAS, a strategic regional initiative aimed at enhancing climate services, improving adaptive capacity, and supporting evidence-based decision-making across West Africa and the Sahel.
In his remarks, Dr. Baoua expressed profound appreciation to the Minister for the warm reception and Nigeria’s continued support to both regional and global climate initiatives. He briefed the Minister on the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NiMet on the operationalization of RCC-WAS, noting that Nigeria is the first point of call for the mission and remains the only English-speaking country among the 17 member states involved, a region where the Sahel plays a pivotal role.
He highlighted the core objectives of the joint mission, which include strengthening institutional partnerships, aligning regional priorities, identifying capacity-building gaps, and establishing clear milestones for the effective take-off of RCC-WAS.
Dr. Baoua emphasized that the MoU with NiMet will fast-track the commencement of the regional centre, adding that “the mission depends on donor support and goodwill, and we will continue to rely on Nigeria’s unwavering leadership.”
Responding, the Minister welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed Nigeria’s firm commitment to regional cooperation and climate resilience efforts. He stated:
“Nigeria is a global player when it comes to regional commitments. We are big players and we do not shy away from our responsibilities. We are still hosting and funding the WMO office in Abuja, and we will continue to support this mission — financially and otherwise.”
The Minister further commended AGRHYMET and WMO for their leadership in advancing climate services across the region, noting that the operationalization of RCC-WAS will significantly enhance early warning capabilities, aviation safety planning, and climate-related research beneficial to both Nigeria and the wider West African community.
Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser On Media and Communications to the Honorable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, said the the visit marks another strategic step in deepening Nigeria’s collaboration with regional and international partners toward promoting climate resilience, sustainable development, and improved meteorological services.
