Nosa Osula-Aituamen
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has publicly presented the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) developed by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
At the presentation in Abuja with the theme: “The Role of Early Warnings towards a Climate Resilient Aviation Industry for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development,” he e stressed the importance of the SCP as a decision-making tool, highlighting its value for various sectors, including agriculture, disaster management, health, marine operations, transport, and particularly aviation.
Mr. Keyamo stated that the document provides essential foresight for planning, risk mitigation, and opportunity utilization.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, emphasized the Ministry and NiMet’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
He noted the availability of a summary document for policymakers, translations of the SCP into Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Pidgin, and a comprehensive report on the State of the Climate in Nigeria for 2024.
Dr. Kana affirmed the dedication to disseminating this information to communities nationwide.
NiMet Director General, Prof Charles Anosike, described the SCP as a perishable resource, urging stakeholders to utilize the information and provide feedback for its improvement.
He expressed gratitude to the Senate and House Committees on Aviation for their support and acknowledged the presence of state governors and their representatives, emphasizing the importance of downscaling the SCP for maximum local impact.
The SCP forecasts significant rainfall across much of Nigeria at the beginning of 2025, with early onsets in southern states and delayed onsets in some northern and central regions.
As contained in the document, early rainfall is anticipated in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra, and parts of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi. A delayed onset is predicted for parts of Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, and Kwara states. The remainder of the country is expected to experience a normal onset.
The end of the rainy season is also predicted to vary, with an early cessation in parts of Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, FCT, Ekiti, and Ondo.
While a delayed end is forecast for sections of Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, Lagos, Kwara, Taraba, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Anambra, and Enugu.