Uche Cecil Izuora
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has embarked on a new era of engagement and transparency with the launch of its Stakeholder Engagement Forum, aimed at strengthening connections with its diverse audience.
This initiative reflects the Agency’s growing commitment to improving communication and service delivery across Nigeria’s weather and climate sectors.
Leading this effort is Mrs. Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, who has been instrumental in creating the forum and championing NiMet’s public visibility locally and internationally.
NiMet, is charged with collecting, analyzing, and disseminating weather and climate data.
It provides critical forecasts and climate services across multiple sectors, advising government policy and conducting research that supports Nigeria’s socio-economic development while protecting lives and property, Mrs. Adebayo-Arowojobe explains she is responsible for projecting NiMet’s visibility locally and internationally, ensuring NiMet’s work resonates and serves our stakeholders effectively.”
The Stakeholder Engagement Forum, a first-of-its-kind initiative within NiMet, with the theme
“Early to Warnings: Raising Awareness on Climate Risks and Promoting Early Action.” reflects this vision, “This forum is an avenue to positively project NiMet, showcase our products, and intimately connect with stakeholders and the public about our strategic plans and progress,” she says. It emerges against the backdrop of nearly two years under the leadership of DG/CEO Professor Charles Anosike, who has driven reforms that include upgrading forecasting equipment and improving staff welfare.
Mrs. Adebayo-Arowojobe highlights the forum’s core objectives: “We want to open communication channels with stakeholders, understand how we are perceived, and learn precisely what problems they expect us to solve. This engagement is essential to improving client satisfaction and managing expectations.” She emphasizes the diverse makeup of NiMet’s stakeholders, from federal and state governments and policymakers to users in aviation, agriculture, education, and private sectors, underlining the importance of tailored dialogue.
The forum’s agenda spotlights several priorities: enhancing service delivery by listening closely to stakeholder needs, reinforcing NiMet’s value proposition to sustain patronage, and fostering shared success. “We hope this reform will build trust through clear, concise, and transparent communication,” she added. While NiMet has garnered strength in aviation, agriculture, environmental management, and hydrological sectors, there is ambition to broaden impact in marine, oil and gas, health, and construction industries.
The Stakeholders Engagements and Collaboration is one of the Key success factors of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Developments Strategic Plan 2024-2028.
This factor hopes to increase partnerships and Participation for the optimum utilization of resources in achieving goals.
We are grateful for the Leadership and unwavering support constantly received from the Honorable Minister Olorogun Festus Keyamo SAN
and His Excellency the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR under the Renewed Hope Agenda, to fulfill these objectives.
Looking beyond immediate reforms. Mrs. Adebayo-Arowojobe envisions a comprehensive mapping of stakeholders by geography, sector, gender, and population to better understand and serve them. She welcomes frank feedback as a catalyst to break down barriers and silos that could hinder collaboration and growth.
The forum’s outcomes will be communicated widely through radio, TV, press releases, social media, and governmental channels in multiple languages, ensuring accessibility and continuous engagement. “Our goal is to remain responsive and build lasting partnerships with all Nigerians in need of our services,” she affirms.