In Cotonou, Charles Anosike elected head of ACMAD council for four years

The election took place during the 24th ordinary session of the ACMAD Governing Council, held in Cotonou alongside the 22nd African Forum on Climate Outlook (ACCOF22). The session brought together council members and institutional partners of the center.

ACMAD supports African countries in climate monitoring, seasonal forecasting, and the development of early warning systems. Anosike’s appointment comes as African states seek to enhance their capacity to anticipate droughts, floods, heatwaves, and other meteorological and climate-related risks.

The Nigerian official will be tasked with strengthening the institution’s governance, expanding its partnerships, and improving access to climate services. In a statement released on September 7, the World Meteorological Organization noted that 41 African countries now report having early warning systems, while highlighting that significant gaps remain on the continent.

A continental NiMet official

Charles Anosike leads NiMet and also represents the Nigeria at the World Meteorological Organization. The Nigerian agency presents him as its Director General and the country’s permanent representative to the WMO.

The Cotonou session also included the Director General of ACMAD, Ousmane Ndiaye, the council’s vice president and Director of Meteorological Services of Niger, Adamou Aïssatou Sitta, as well as the Director of the Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Department of the African Union Commission, Harsen Nyambe. The Beninese Minister of Living Environment and Transport in charge of Sustainable Development, Georges Alé, was among the officials present at the opening of the proceedings.