By Atoyebi Nike
The Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has called for the integration of real-time weather alerts into ferry operations to improve safety and efficiency across Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways.
Speaking at the Regional Ferry Safety Conference in Lagos, held from June 25 to 26, 2025, Prof. Anosike highlighted the increasing risks posed by unpredictable weather to ferry transportation, which remains a vital link for many communities.
He stressed that sustainable maritime regulation must include early warning systems to support safer navigation and better crew deployment. “Timely and accurate forecasting helps ferry operators plan routes more effectively, reducing the impact of adverse weather and improving rescue readiness,” he said.
The NiMet chief also noted that services are most effective when developed in collaboration with end-users. He referenced a 2022 stakeholder workshop that led to partnerships with key agencies including NIMASA, NIWA, and MOWCA to co-develop meteorological tools for maritime safety.
Professor Anosike outlined five strategies for improving how maritime operators use weather data and reaffirmed NiMet’s readiness to deliver marine-specific forecasts and products to support safety and sustainable development in the ferry sector.
