Nigeria: McEnies promotes climate-health resilience through WISER project - NaijaAgroNet

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McEnies Global Communications is supporting efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s climate resilience through the Weather and Climate Information Services for Resilience (WISER) Health Project, an initiative aimed at improving how weather and climate data are used to address climate-sensitive health risks.

The project, led by the UK Met Office in collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Rockefeller Foundation, seeks to enhance the accessibility and use of climate information across Nigeria’s health and emergency response sectors.

The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), which targets the deployment of an integrated climate, health, and environmental early warning system in at least 18 states by 2030.

As part of the programme, McEnies Global Communications is working with key institutions including NiMet, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to ensure climate data supports early warning systems that protect vulnerable communities.

Chief Executive Officer of McEnies Global Communications, Dr. Omolaraeni Olaosebikan, explained that the initiative focuses on making meteorological data easier for decision-makers in the health and emergency sectors to interpret and use.

According to her, community surveys conducted across several Nigerian states are helping to identify how climate information can better support populations in rural, urban, coastal, and informal settlements.

“Climate information holds enormous potential for improving health outcomes and strengthening resilience,” Olaosebikan said, noting that the WISER Health project is designed to ensure that climate forecasts and warnings translate into practical responses at community level.

She added that McEnies has also been facilitating cross-sector workshops and stakeholder engagements aimed at promoting inclusive early warning systems that integrate climate, health, and environmental data.

Experts note that as climate change continues to intensify risks such as heat stress, flooding, and vector-borne diseases, access to timely climate information is becoming increasingly critical for safeguarding livelihoods, food systems, and public health.

The WISER Health initiative benefits from collaboration with international partners including the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The project also builds on McEnies Global Communications’ previous work with the UK Met Office and FCDO in 2023, where the firm helped develop strategic communications aimed at reducing flooding risks in Nigeria’s most vulnerable communities.

That effort improved awareness and coordination among disaster management agencies, highlighting the importance of data-driven communication in strengthening climate resilience.

Leveraging the experience gained from the programme, McEnies is now expanding its focus to link climate information with health planning and community preparedness.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting sustainable development, climate resilience, and inclusive communication strategies that support communities across Nigeria.