The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has inaugurated a groundbreaking Stakeholder Engagement Forum designed to deepen its interaction with a wide range of audiences.
This new platform underscores NiMet’s dedication to enhancing communication and elevating service quality within Nigeria’s weather and climate sectors.
At the forefront of this initiative is Mrs. Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, who played a pivotal role in establishing the forum and continues to advocate for NiMet’s visibility and reputation both nationally and globally.
As a federal agency, NiMet is responsible for gathering, analyzing, and distributing meteorological and climate information.
It delivers vital weather forecasts and climate-related services to various industries, supports governmental policy formulation, and undertakes research that contributes to Nigeria’s economic growth while safeguarding lives and assets.
Mrs. Adebayo-Arowojobe is tasked with steering efforts to enhance NiMet’s public image, manage its public relations, drive awareness campaigns, and ensure the agency’s initiatives effectively address stakeholder needs.
The Stakeholder Engagement Forum, a pioneering effort within NiMet, carries the theme: “Early Warnings: Raising Awareness on Climate Risks and Promoting Early Action,” which encapsulates the agency’s forward-looking mission.
“This forum serves as a platform to highlight NiMet’s capabilities, present our services, and engage directly with stakeholders and the public to share our strategic goals, achievements, and challenges,” she explained.
“It comes after nearly two years of leadership under DG/CEO Professor Charles Anosike, who has spearheaded reforms such as upgrading forecasting technology and enhancing staff welfare.”
Mrs. Adebayo-Arowojobe outlined the forum’s primary aims: “We seek to establish open communication channels with our stakeholders, gain insight into their perceptions of NiMet, and identify the specific issues they expect us to address.”
This dialogue is crucial for boosting client satisfaction and aligning expectations, which are central to the mandate of her Directorate.
She also highlighted the broad spectrum of NiMet’s stakeholders, including federal and state government bodies, policymakers, and users from sectors like aviation, agriculture, education, private enterprises, and the general populace, emphasizing the need for customized engagement approaches.
The forum’s agenda prioritizes listening attentively to stakeholder feedback to improve service delivery, reinforcing NiMet’s value to maintain support, and fostering collaborative achievements.
“Our goal is to cultivate trust and inclusivity through transparent, straightforward, and effective communication,” she concluded.
