By Nasir Junaidu
The impacts of climate change, pollution, and ecosystem degradation are already driving respiratory illnesses, water- and vector-borne diseases, food insecurity, and disaster-related health risks in Nigeria. This underscores the urgent need to build climate-resilient health systems informed by inclusive early warning and risk management services.
In 2025, the Nigerian government published the third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), which calls for “delivering a national integrated climate change, health and environmental early warning system with implementation in at least 18 states by 2030.” The National Early Warning Services for Health (WISER) workshop marks an important first step toward this goal, bringing together key national agencies to share expertise and co-develop a multi-hazard early warning system for Nigeria.
Hosted by the Nigerian Meteorological Service (NiMet) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), the National Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), this workshop embodies a truly cross-sectoral collaboration. Additional representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and the Lagos State Government also contribute to the effort.
A community-level survey conducted across Nigeria’s regions will inform workshop activities and trainings, ensuring early warning services are people-led and tailored to the needs of the most vulnerable Nigerians.
Effective cross-sectoral coordination lies at the heart of NiMet and its partners’ efforts to co-produce an early warning service for health that is usable, useful, and inclusive of all Nigerian society.
International experts have been invited to share policy and operational experience, including representatives from the UK Government, the UK Met Office, the Rockefeller Foundation, the World Bank, the World Meteorological Organization, the World Health Organization, and the UK Health Security Agency. This workshop is part of WISER Health (Weather and Climate Information Services for Health), a global initiative co-funded by the UK and Rockefeller Foundation, with the Met Office leading implementation.
Juliet Whitley, Head of Health at the British High Commission in Abuja, said:
“Nigeria is leading the way in developing an early warning system that will better enable its health sector to prepare for and respond to extreme weather. The UK is proud to support Nigeria’s commitment to building a health system that is more resilient to climate change.”
Dr. Zakariya Mohammed, Director and Head of Climate Change and Environmental Health Division, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, stated:
“With the integration of health considerations into Nigeria’s recently submitted NDC 3.0, this workshop provides an excellent starting point for collaborative efforts toward establishing an operational early warning system for climate and health in Nigeria.”
Isa Abulkasir, Chief Disaster Risk Reduction Officer and Climate Change Desk Officer at NEMA, added; “As Nigeria integrates health into its NDC 3.0 framework, this workshop offers a timely opportunity to advance our collaborative efforts toward a climate-resilient health system. NEMA is committed to leveraging climate information and early warning systems to mitigate health risks, enhance community resilience, and reduce the impact of climate-sensitive diseases and disasters—building a safer, more resilient future for all Nigerians.”
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) reaffirms its commitment to strengthening weather and climate information services as a critical pillar for public health protection. “Building an efficient early warning system is not just a scientific responsibility; it is a national imperative,” said a NiMet spokesperson. “Through collaboration with the health sector and strategic partners, we are working to ensure timely, accurate, and impact-based forecasts translate into early action that saves lives and safeguards livelihoods across Nigeria. Together, we can transform climate intelligence into resilience for healthier communities nationwide.”
