NiMet and NCDC Forge Partnership To Enhance Public Health Through Data Sharing.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) have entered into a strategic partnership to enhance public health by sharing data and information on climate-sensitive diseases. The two agencies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Tuesday at the NCDC Headquarters in Abuja, marking a significant step towards a more climate-resilient Nigeria.
In a joint statement, both agencies outlined that the MoU aims to establish a structured framework for collaboration and data exchange to support Enhanced Situational Awareness (ESA). This will be particularly beneficial for tracking and predicting outbreaks of climate-sensitive diseases such as cholera and malaria, allowing the agencies to correlate climate patterns with disease trends and build stronger predictive models.
The MoU, initially set for a period of four years with an option for renewal, is seen as a landmark in inter-agency cooperation. Prof. Charles Anosike, Director General and CEO of NiMet, emphasised the importance of this collaboration in addressing the health impacts of climate change.
“Climate change is the most impactful threat to our health,” Prof. Anosike said. “This partnership with the NCDC will enable us to go beyond our current capabilities, enhancing our preparedness and response to climate-related health risks. It aligns with the United Nations’ early warning system initiative, helping us to better protect our citizens from climate disasters.”
Dr Jide Idris, Director General of NCDC, echoed these sentiments, describing the MoU as a foundation for strengthened collaboration between the agencies, with benefits for the entire country.
“This partnership marks the start of data and resource sharing that will improve our ability to monitor and respond to public health threats,” Dr Idris stated. “It represents a shared commitment to building a healthier and more climate-resilient Nigeria, providing timely insights that will improve disease preparedness and response across the nation.”
The partnership is expected to yield substantial benefits, including an improved capacity to predict disease outbreaks based on climate indicators, strengthened institutional capabilities, and enhanced public health resilience. Together, NiMet and NCDC aim to create a more robust early warning system that will serve as a proactive measure against climate-induced health risks.
The MoU signing event was attended by both agency leaders, Prof. Anosike of NiMet and Dr Idris of NCDC, who pledged to work collaboratively towards a healthier and climate-resilient Nigeria.
