The Nigerian Meteorological Agency NIMeT has presented the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP).
The SCP indicates that the 2024 onset of rains is predicted to be delayed in some parts of the country, especially the North Central States of the country. While a normal onset is likely to occur over the Northern States.
The document also contains detailed predictions for temperature in the first five months of the year, predictions for the dry spell and little dry season, as well as predictions for malaria and Meningitis.
Speaking during the presentation, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, FESTUS Keyamo charged all stakeholders to evaluate the Predictions thoroughly and strategically, to build adaptive capacity and resilience against climate variability within their respective sectors.
He said Borno, Abia, and Akwa Ibom states are predicted to have an early onset when compared to their long-term averages.
According to him, an early end of the season is predicted for parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ogun, and Lagos states.
He further said a late cessation is predicted over the southern states of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Ekiti, and parts of Edo, Delta, Ogun, Oyo, Kogi, Kwara, FCT, Niger, and Kaduna states.
Keyamo said an annual rainfall amount is predicted to be below normal over parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi, Kano, Kebbi, Gombe, Plateau, Taraba, Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Cross River, Delta, and Bayelsa states when compared to their long term normal.
"However, other parts of the country are likely to observe normal to above-normal annual rainfall amounts," he said.
“Most parts of the country are expected to experience a shorter length of season, however, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa-Ibom are likely to experience a longer length of season when compared with their mean. Normal to shorter length of season will likely occur in other parts of the country."
He added that the weather and climate have profound effects on aviation, agriculture, maritime and blue economy, water resources, natural resources, energy, disaster risk management, and infrastructure investments.
“Reliable meteorological information is therefore essential for supporting food security, reducing risks, improving livelihoods, and building resilience against the vagaries of weather.”
Also, the Director General/CEO NiMet and Permanent Representative of Nigeria with World Meteorological Organization (NiMEt), Prof Charles Anosike urged everyone to take all these predictions, disseminate them, and make timely and positive use of them in our various sectors.
He said this is our commitment to ‘Facilitating a weather-resilient economy through early warnings for all to foster renewed hope and sustainable development’ and this should be at the forefront of our planning and economic agenda.
The Annual Seasonal Climate Prediction SCP document is one of the flagship products of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, providing critical information to help guide decision-making across all sectors of the nation's economy.
