Agencies collaborate in strengthening early warnings for health
The impacts of climate change, pollution, and ecosystem degradation are driving respiratory illnesses, water- and vector-borne diseases, food insecurity, and disaster-related health risks in Nigeria. This underscores the need to
The impacts of climate change, pollution, and ecosystem degradation are driving respiratory illnesses, water- and vector-borne diseases, food insecurity, and disaster-related health risks in Nigeria. This underscores the need to build climate-resilient health systems informed by inclusive early warning and risk management services.
In 2025, Nigeria published the third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), which urges “delivering of a national integrated climate change, health and environmental early warning system with implementation in 18 states by 2030.” The National Early Warning Services for Health (WISER) workshop marks is 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 Nigerian Meteorological Service (NiMet) in partnership with Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), National Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), and National Orientation Agency (NOA), the workshop embodies a cross-sectoral collaboration. Additional representatives from Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and Lagos State also contribute to the effort.
A community-level survey in Nigeria will inform workshop activities and trainings, ensuring early warning services are people-led and meet needs of the most vulnerable.
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.
International experts will share policy and operational experience, including representatives from UK government, UK Met Office, Rockefeller Foundation, World Bank, World Meteorological Organisation, World Health Organisation, and UK Health Security Agency. This workshop is part of WISER Health (Weather and Climate Information Services for Health), a global initiative co-funded by UK and Rockefeller Foundation, with the Met Office leading implementation.
Juliet Whitley, head of Health at 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. UK is proud to support Nigeria’s commitment to building a health system that is more resilient to climate change.”
Read Also: Top 10 Nigerian Football Players Of All Time
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.”
