The Federal Government has approved a revised Scheme of Service for the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), a development expected to strengthen the agency’s workforce, improve staff welfare and enhance its ability to deliver quality meteorological services across the country.
The approval was formally communicated to the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, through a letter dated July 9, 2026, from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
The correspondence, signed on behalf of the Director of Organisation Design and Development, confirmed the Federal Government’s endorsement of the reviewed framework following the completion of all necessary administrative processes.
Titled “Re-Approval and Forwarding of the Reviewed Schemes of Service for the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet),” the letter explained that the approval followed extensive consultations, preliminary engagements and a comprehensive field study conducted in accordance with the approved Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) guiding the review of Schemes of Service within the Federal Public Service.
According to the document, the review became necessary to ensure that NiMet’s Scheme of Service reflects current realities within the public service, addresses existing deficiencies in several professional cadres and creates improved opportunities for career progression among employees.
The government also stated that the exercise was intended to align the agency’s personnel structure with its specialised role as Nigeria’s foremost meteorological institution.
The approved framework introduces a more structured career progression system by incorporating Junior, Intermediate and Professional/Officer cadre categories in line with established public service policies.
It also recognises the specialised professional functions carried out by NiMet while maintaining consistency with the approved Schemes of Service applicable across the Federal Public Service.
As part of the approval, the Federal Government directed the agency to strictly implement the revised Scheme of Service in accordance with existing Public Service Rules, establishment circulars and all regulations governing appointments, promotions, conversions, career progression and other personnel-related matters.
The government further clarified that officers serving in the Junior and Intermediate cadres would only be eligible to advance beyond their terminal grade levels after obtaining the required bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification through the approved conversion or upgrading process.
According to the directive, such progression must comply fully with the relevant provisions of the Public Service Rules and other applicable guidelines.
The approval comes only a few months after the Federal Government introduced a new unified salary structure and revised Conditions of Service for NiMet employees.
Those improvements, approved in April 2026, officially took effect on June 1, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen staff welfare and improve productivity within the agency.
The newly approved Scheme of Service is expected to further reinforce NiMet’s human resource management framework while supporting its statutory responsibility of providing reliable weather and climate information for various sectors of the Nigerian economy.
These include aviation, agriculture, maritime transportation, disaster risk reduction and other climate-sensitive industries that depend on accurate weather forecasts and meteorological data.
Beyond weather forecasting, NiMet plays a critical role in advising the Federal Government on meteorological matters, collecting and disseminating climate information, supporting scientific research and improving national preparedness for climate-related emergencies and environmental challenges.
