By Woke Joshua
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike, has been elected President of the Board of Governors of the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD).
Anosike emerged during the 24th Ordinary Session of the ACMAD Board of Governors held on September 10, 2026, in Cotonou, Benin.
The session was convened alongside the 22nd African Climate Outlook Forum (ACCOF22).
A statement issued on Saturday said the NiMet chief would serve a four-year term, during which he would provide strategic direction for the advancement of ACMAD’s governance, partnerships and climate services across Africa.
The new ACMAD president is also expected to support the Centre’s efforts to promote the application of weather and climate information for sustainable socio-economic development on the continent.
The statement described the election as a significant milestone for NiMet and a further recognition of Nigeria’s contribution to Africa’s meteorological development.
It said Anosike’s emergence would strengthen efforts to improve weather and climate services, protect lives and property, promote climate resilience and support economic development across Africa.
The development comes as African countries intensify measures to address growing weather and climate-related threats through improved forecasting, early warning systems and preparedness, in line with the United Nations Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative.
The ACMAD meeting brought together members of the Board of Governors and institutional partners to review the Centre’s progress and strengthen its strategic direction and governance.
Those who featured at the high-level opening included ACMAD Director-General, Dr. Ousmane Ndiaye; Vice-President of the ACMAD Board and Director of Niger Meteorological Services, Dr. Adamou Aïssatou Sitta; Director of the African Union Commission’s Department of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy (SEBE), Mr. Harsen Nyambe; and Benin’s Minister of Living Environment and Transport, in charge of Sustainable Development, H.E. Georges Alé.