NiMet to install automatic weather station at ABU’s energy research centre

The Nigerian Meteorology Agency (NiMet) has signed an agreement with the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Kaduna for the establishment of a mini automatic weather station.

Automatic weather stations are used to observe and record weather data, providing real-time information for various applications.

AWS is crucial for energy research, particularly in areas like wind and solar energy assessment and power system management.

Auwalu Umar, ABU’s public affairs director, said on Thursday that an MoU was signed by the university and NIMET on Monday.

The MoU, he said, is aimed at strengthening research activities leading to world-class outputs in meteorology/climatology, nuclear science, and technology, as well as material analyses.

Umar said Adamu Ahmed, the ABU vice-chancellor, signed the MoU on behalf of the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) while Charles Anosike, the director-general of the meteorology agency signed for NiMet.

He said the installation is aimed at supporting licensing requirements for the operation of the Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIPR-1).

He added that NIMET would also collaborate with the ABU’s energy research centre towards promoting and downscaling Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), as well as maintaining the meteorological instruments installed in the mini-automatic weather station.

“Again, NiMet will permit the institution’s staff and students with interest in teaching, knowledge acquisition, research and training in climatology/meteorology and have access to the agency’s meteorological and climate data or information,” Umar said.

“The access is for research activities subject to the NiMet data policy,” he said.

Umar said under the agreement, NiMet would additionally undertake to identify locations to carry out gaseous and NORM mapping around airports.

He added that NiMet would also provide cost and expenses for the use of consumables necessary for the enhanced instrumentation training in nuclear science research.

“CERT is also obligated to provide technical support in developing soil fertility analysis to enhance NiMet’s capacity in seasonal climate predictions and climate-smart agricultural practices,” Umar added.

“CERT is to develop NiMet’s capacity to carry out gaseous mapping, analysis of harmattan dust and NORM evaluation of airports, as well as train the agency’s staff in basic and applied nuclear science and related analytical techniques for environmental analysis.”