By Chidi Ugwu
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has emphasized the critical importance of weather forecasting in ensuring the safety and efficiency of ferry operations across Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways.
Speaking at the Regional Ferry Safety Conference held from June 25–26, 2025, at the Continental Hotel in Lagos, Professor Anosike highlighted the challenges posed by rapidly changing weather conditions to maritime transportation, particularly for ferry operators who serve as a vital lifeline for many communities.
Prof Anosike noted that “Maritime regulation must ensure that ferries and ports adopt more sustainable practices, including integration of weather early warning alerts into ferry operations. Timely and accurate early warning is indispensable and serves as a guide toward strategic operational planning, empowering ferry operators to efficiently plan routes and strategically deploy crew members to minimize the impact of adverse weather events and enhance safety.”
He added that real-time updates “enable ferry operators to conduct thorough pre-departure assessments and make climate-informed decisions on safety and viability of each trip,” significantly sharpening search-and-rescue readiness.
The NiMet CEO reminded delegates that data only save lives when providers and users co-design the service chain:
“Realizing that meteorological services are better provided in collaboration with the users, NiMet, in year 2022, hosted a needs assessment workshop for stakeholders, including the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the Nigerian Navy, Marine Police, Fishing Communities, Ferry Operators, etc.”
That workshop has since yielded Memoranda of Understanding with NIMASA, NIWA, and MOWCA. He added:
‘The objective of the collaborative activities between NiMet and the relevant Agencies in the maritime industry is to enhance the capacity of the Parties with a view to the provision of relevant meteorological data and tools that will enhance the sustainable development of the marine environment and delivery of products and services to floating equipment and shippers for safety of navigation, maritime security, marine environment protection, and other maritime activities.’
He further outlined five measures that can overcome the challenges of optimally utilising meteorological data and significantly elevate the safety and efficiency of ferry operations in Nigeria
In conclusion, he said:
‘Weather forecasts for safe navigation are fundamental to the economic prosperity of Nigeria’s coastal dwellers and by proactively addressing our existing challenges and diligently implementing these recommendations, we can make significant progress, enhance the well-being and efficiency of ferry operations towards achieving sustainable economic development in Nigeria. NiMet is well-positioned to provide impact-based marine forecasts and other Meteorological products & Services to ensure safety of ferry operations.’
