Nigeria Launches WISER Health Workshop to Develop Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems for Climate-Resilient Healthcare

NiMet and the Ministry of Health launch the WISER Health workshop to create climate-resilient early warning systems for diseases in Nigeria by 2030.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 4:54 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from THE AUTHORITY

Cross-Sectoral Alliance Targets Climate-Driven Health Risks

Nigeria is taking a decisive step toward protecting its citizenry from the escalating impacts of climate change, which have increasingly driven respiratory illnesses, food insecurity, and disaster-related health emergencies. At the World Meteorological Organisation Regional Training Center in Oshodi, Lagos, a broad coalition of federal agencies gathered for the National Early Warning Services (WISER) for Health Workshop. This collaborative effort brings together the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) to co-produce a health-focused early warning service.

Fulfilling NDC 3.0 Mandates for National Health Security

The workshop serves as the primary implementation phase of Nigeria’s third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0). Published in 2025, the document explicitly mandates the delivery of an integrated national climate change and health early warning system in at least 18 states by the year 2030. By integrating health considerations into meteorological data, the government aims to move from reactive disaster management to proactive health safeguarding. Dr. Zakariya Mohammed of the Ministry of Health noted that the workshop provides the essential operational starting point for this long-term resilience strategy.

Community-Led Data and International Expertise Drive Innovation

To ensure the new early warning services are practical and inclusive, the project has incorporated a nationwide community-level survey. This data ensures that the warnings are tailored to the specific vulnerabilities of different Nigerian regions, making them "people-led" rather than purely technical. The initiative is bolstered by a global partnership known as WISER Health (Weather and Climate Information Services for Health), co-funded by the UK Government and the Rockefeller Foundation. Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UK Met Office are providing technical guidance to align Nigeria’s systems with international best practices.