Odita Sunday 
In a major continental recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in climate intelligence and institutional reform, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has been named African Public Sector Leader of the Year.
Professor Anosike received the prestigious honour on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the 2026 African Leadership Persons of the Year Awards held in Accra.
The award recognises his transformational leadership at NiMet, particularly in strengthening climate services, advancing early warning systems, deepening aviation meteorology standards, and repositioning the Agency as a strategic institution for national development.
The ceremony formed a high-level side event of the African Leadership Conference themed “Reimagining African Governance and Development: New Pathways for Economic Transformation and Institutional Renewal.”
The conference brought together Heads of State, senior government officials, development partners, and institutional leaders to deliberate on governance innovation, climate resilience, and economic transformation across the continent.
Organised by African Leadership Magazine, a leading pan-African policy platform that promotes leadership excellence and sustainable development, the annual Persons of the Year recognition spotlights leaders driving measurable impact within their institutions and countries.
Among other distinguished honourees were John Dramani Mahama, named African of the Year; Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, recognised as African Political Leader of the Year; and Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, honoured as African Inspirational Leader of the Year.
Under Professor Anosike’s stewardship, NiMet has strengthened operational efficiency and service delivery while emerging as one of Nigeria’s most digitally compliant government institutions.
The Agency has embedded transparency, automation, and data-driven systems into its core processes, boosting public trust and institutional performance.
The continental recognition underscores NiMet’s rising credibility and its expanding role in advancing climate intelligence, aviation safety, and national resilience.
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