The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has achieved a major milestone in its drive for innovation and digitalisation with the launch of an electronic flight folder (e-flight folder), replacing the traditional manual system.
The e-flight folder gives pilots and airlines virtual access to a comprehensive suite of flight briefing applications, including real-time weather reports, to support informed decision-making and strengthen aviation safety.
Unveiling the innovation at a stakeholders’ forum in Lagos, NiMet’s director-general and chief executive officer, Charles Anosike, also introduced the Aeronautical Meteorology Bulletin, a new publication designed to deepen understanding of meteorology within the aviation industry.
According to Anosike, the bulletin will equip airlines, pilots, air traffic controllers, and ground service providers with timely insights to anticipate and manage weather-related challenges more effectively, thereby enhancing overall flight operations.
“Creating a safer and more trustworthy weather-ready aviation environment is pivotal to our success as we strengthen and expand our quality management systems, including ISO certifications,” Anosike emphasised.
Notably, the recent certification of Enugu Airport has brought the total number of ISO-certified airports to five, with Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt already on the list. He said, plans are underway to add more airports to this esteemed list.
Anosike highlighted NiMet’s unwavering commitment to observing and monitoring the Nigerian atmosphere for potential hazards, taking meticulous records of meteorological elements, and making accurate weather and climate predictions across various timescales.
The agency’s timely communication of weather and climate information has been instrumental in providing reliable early warnings that safeguard critical sectors, including aviation, agriculture, marine and blue economy, water resources, energy, health, disaster risk reduction, building and construction, and telecommunications, he said
The director-general also spotlighted NiMet’s flagship product, the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), a vital early warning tool for farmers, livestock practitioners, and other sectors of the economy.
The SCP provides crucial information on the onset and cessation dates of the rainy season, length of the rainy season, annual total rainfall, dry spell occurrence, little dry season, temperature forecasts, climate and health, and their socio-economic implications.
Furthermore, NiMet has implemented a co-production process, engaging relevant stakeholders in weather-sensitive sectors to craft informed, user-tailored weather forecasts. These forecasts are translated into Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and Pidgin to enhance uptake and facilitate better planning and climate-smart decision-making.
The managing director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Farouk Umar Ahmed, underscored the significant impact of climate change on the aviation industry, citing disrupted flight schedules, route changes, increased risk of accidents, and heightened pilot and air traffic control workload, leading to stress and fatigue.
Ahmed who was represented by the director of Operations at NAMA, Tayo John, emphasised the need for domesticated and tropicalized solutions to address the challenges posed by climate change.
As professionals in various fields, Ahmed stressed that it is imperative to proffer workable solutions to the climatic issues affecting society, with the ultimate goal of preventing disasters on the ground or in the air.
In his goodwill message, the director-general of the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Capt. Alex Badeh Jr, commended NiMet for fostering collaboration and inclusivity through the stakeholders’ forum. Badeh highlighted the critical importance of early warnings in enhancing safety and resilience across sectors, particularly in agriculture, disaster management, and transportation.
He praised NiMet’s contributions to safer transport operations, noting that the agency’s weather insights have informed safety investigations and recommendations.
