NiMet Predicts Normal Rainfall, As Keyamo Unveils 2025 SCP

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has unveiled the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), to the public, with the prediction of normal rainfall across most parts of the country.

Themed ‘The Role of Early Warnings towards a Climate Resilient Aviation Industry for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development’, the SCP document predicts that most parts of the country will experience mostly normal rainfall.

“However, Borno and parts of Yobe states could experience shorter than normal length of season. Lagos, and Nasarawa states are likely to have longer than normal length of seasons in 2025,” the SCP noted.

A normal to below-normal annual rainfall is anticipated in most parts of Nigeria compared to the long-term average. Parts of Kebbi, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Cross River, Lagos Abia, Akwa Ibom states, and the FCT are expected to have above-normal annual rainfall amounts. High-intensity rainfall is expected in May-June that may likely result in flash floods in the coastal cities.

The onset of rain is predicted to be delayed over the northern and central states of Plateau as well as parts of Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, and Kwara. While early onset is expected over the southern states of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra, and sections of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi. The rest of the country is predicted to have a normal onset.

The minister disclosed that the SCP document is a critical tool for informed decision-making, noting that “It offers insights into expected weather and climate patterns, equipping various sectors with the foresight needed to plan, mitigate risks, and harness opportunities. Agriculture, disaster risk management, health, marine operations, transport—and especially aviation—are among the many domains that will benefit from this invaluable resource and advisory”.

The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, in his welcome address, said that the accompanying summary SCP document for policymakers, translations of the SCP into Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Pidgin languages, including a comprehensive report on the state of the climate in Nigeria for 2024 underscore the ministry’s and NiMet’s commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and ensuring that the information reaches even the most remote communities.

“Today’s session is particularly special because it represents our dedication to public engagement, ensuring that the knowledge we generate benefits communities across all 36 states of the federation and the FCT”, he said.

The director general and chief executive officer of NiMet, Prof Charles Anosike said that the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) is perishable just like other weather and climate predictions, and requires actors to uptake the information, utilize it, and provide feedback for evaluation and improvement of the document.