By Chinelo Obogo
The Director General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has called for strict adherence to weather-related safety protocols in ferry operations across Nigeria’s inland and coastal waterways, stressing that timely and accurate meteorological information is essential for safe navigation and operational efficiency.
Speaking at the Regional Ferry Safety Conference held June 25–26, 2025 in Lagos, Anosike highlighted the increasing risks posed by unpredictable weather patterns, particularly for ferry services that provide critical connectivity for many riverine and coastal communities.
“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 said.
Anosike further explained that real-time weather updates improve risk assessment and decision-making. “They enable ferry operators to conduct thorough pre-departure assessments and make climate-informed decisions on the safety and viability of each trip,” he noted, adding that such measures also strengthen search-and-rescue preparedness.
“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.”
He pointed out that this collaborative approach has already borne fruit through the signing of Memoranda of Understanding with NIMASA, NIWA, and the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA).
“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 explained.
To overcome challenges related to the underutilisation of weather data, Professor Anosike recommended five strategic measures that could significantly boost the safety and efficiency of ferry operations, though he did not list them in detail during his remarks.
“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 and services to ensure the safety of ferry operations.”