Meteorological Services for Disaster Risk Prevention and Mitigation in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines the place of meteorological services in disaster risk prevention and mitigation in Nigeria. It discusses the types, establishment requirements and limitations of meteorological stations in the country. The study also examines the climatic features of ‘Regions A and B’ and their related hazards. It observes, inter alia, that owing to existence of few meteorological stations which are poorly instrumented and maintained by corporate interests and government, derivation of authentically adequate climate information required for accurate weather predictions and spatial planning becomes a major challenge in the country. This situation has given rise to vast inundation of some settlements, displacement of people, destruction of agro-products, and aviation disasters in Nigeria. Premised on the findings, the study recommends that effective meteorological observations should be carried out in the country by using standard weather instruments. The weather information obtained from the observations should be used by a body of specialists for authentic atmospheric prognostications and spatial planning alongside other suggested measures necessary to prevent and mitigate climate-induced environmental disasters in Nigeria.

Keywords: meteorological, services, disaster, prevention, mitigation