Agencies unite to boost climate health early warning

By Abubakar Yunusa

Key government agencies have converged in Abuja to strengthen Nigeria’s early warning systems for climate-related health threats, in line with the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution 3.0.

The move comes amid growing concerns that climate change, pollution and ecosystem degradation are fuelling respiratory illnesses, water- and vector-borne diseases, food insecurity and disaster-induced health risks nationwide.

At the centre of the initiative is the National Early Warning Services for Health workshop, hosted by Nigerian Meteorological Agency in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Emergency Management Authority, National Hydrological Services Agency and the National Orientation Agency.

The workshop signals what officials described as a “first practical step” towards implementing Nigeria’s NDC 3.0 target of delivering an integrated climate, health and environmental early warning system in at least 18 states by 2030.

Other stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the Lagos State Government, are also participating.

Organisers said a community-level survey conducted across the country would guide the design of the system, ensuring that early warning services are inclusive and tailored to vulnerable populations.

International partners are also backing the effort. Representatives from the UK Government, the UK Met Office, the Rockefeller Foundation, the World Bank, the World Meteorological Organization, the World Health Organization and the UK Health Security Agency are sharing technical and policy expertise.

The workshop forms part of WISER Health, a global initiative co-funded by the UK and the Rockefeller Foundation, with implementation led by the Met Office.

Juliet Whitley, Head of Health at the British High Commission in Abuja, said Nigeria was setting the pace in developing an early warning system that would better equip its health sector to respond to extreme weather events.

“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. The UK is proud to support Nigeria’s commitment to building a health system that is more resilient to climate change,” she said.

Dr Zakariya Mohammed of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare described the workshop as a timely response following the integration of health considerations into Nigeria’s NDC 3.0.

Also speaking, NEMA’s Chief Disaster Risk Reduction Officer, Isa Abulkasir, said integrating health into the NDC framework would help mitigate climate-sensitive diseases and disasters.

A NiMet spokesperson reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to delivering accurate and impact-based forecasts that translate into early action.

“Building an efficient early warning system is not just a scientific responsibility; it is a national imperative,” the spokesperson said, adding that stronger collaboration would help safeguard lives and livelihoods across the country.