The Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has urged stronger collaboration between financial regulators, investors, and sustainability leaders to close climate data gaps and integrate meteorological information into sustainability reporting.
In a statement issued on Monday, Anosike warned that climate damages are placing increasing pressure on private insurance markets, shifting more costs to government-run plans and raising concerns about long-term sustainability.
“We need to work together to integrate contextual meteorological data into sustainability reporting and close climate data gaps in Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, extreme weather events present both short-term and long-term risks, with significant and growing economic costs.
He stressed that developing countries bear a disproportionate burden, with potential consequences including food price shocks, supply chain disruptions, and higher insurance costs.
Anosike highlighted that meteorology provides the fundamental weather and climate data required for sustainability reporting.
He explained that reliable climate data is critical for agricultural productivity, food security, aviation safety, building and construction, disaster preparedness, maritime operations, public health, and infrastructure development.
“Reliable climate data is crucial for informed decisions in our financial markets. It is essential for building a sustainable economy,”he noted.
The NiMet boss reaffirmed the agency’s role as Nigeria’s climate custodian, with a mandate to observe, collect, process, and disseminate weather and climate information to safeguard lives and property.
He said the agency has remained at the forefront of climate data management and people-centred early warning systems, adding that greater investment and engagement are needed to strengthen sustainability reporting.
“NiMet has been at the forefront of climate data management and people-centred early warning systems,” Anosike said.
