The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, has stressed the importance of climate science in driving sustainable development in Nigeria. Speaking at the public presentation of the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) in Abuja on Tuesday February 10, 2026, Keyamo noted that the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is committed to leveraging climate science and early warning systems to support economic stability, food security, and infrastructure resilience.
“The impact and effect of climate variability and climate change remain daily realities of modern times, shaping aviation safety, economic decisions, national security planning, food security, infrastructural development, and the well-being of our people,” Keyamo stated. He emphasized that the provision of timely and accurate weather information and climate services is a strategic enabler of national development and good governance.
The 2026 SCP predicts a predominantly neutral El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phase, with implications for rainfall distribution, temperature patterns, and sectoral risks across Nigeria. Key highlights include early onset of rains in southern states, late onset in Borno State, and a longer-than-normal rainy season in Lagos, Benue, and other states.
Experts warn that Nigeria may experience unusual rainfall patterns and intense heatwaves in 2026, with potential impacts on flooding, food production, and public health. The country’s changing climate is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall, droughts, and heatwaves.
Keyamo urged stakeholders to support climate science and the dissemination of the SCP document, saying, “Any developmental effort that is not informed by credible weather and climate knowledge is vulnerable, costly, and ultimately unsustainable.”
