The Federal Government has approved a reviewed Scheme of Service for the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), a move expected to strengthen career progression, improve workforce structure and enhance the agency’s capacity to deliver on its meteorological mandate.

The approval was conveyed to the Director-General of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike, in a letter dated July 9, 2026, from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), signed on behalf of the Director, Organisation Design and Development.

According to the letter, titled “Re-Approval and Forwarding of the Reviewed Schemes of Service for the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet),” the decision followed preliminary engagements and an extensive field study conducted in line with the approved Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for reviewing schemes of service across the Federal Public Service.

The letter stated: “The review established, among others, the need to align the Agency’s Schemes of Service with current developments in the Federal Public Service, address identified deficiencies in some cadres, strengthen career progression opportunities for staff, and adequately reflect the specialised mandates and operational peculiarities of the Agency as Nigeria’s apex meteorological institution.”

It added: “Consequently, the reviewed Schemes of Service have been approved to provide an appropriate career structure for the Agency, incorporating the Junior, Intermediate and Professional/Officer cadre categories in line with extant policies. The approved Schemes also accommodate the Agency’s peculiar professional cadres while ensuring that the adopted service-wide cadres remain consistent with the extant Approved Schemes of Service for the Federal Public Service.”

The government directed the agency to implement the new scheme in line with existing Public Service Rules, Establishment Circulars and other regulations governing appointments, promotions, career progression and personnel management.

“You are accordingly requested to ensure strict implementation of the approved Schemes of Service in accordance with the provisions contained therein and all extant Public Service Rules, Establishment Circulars, Guidelines and other relevant regulations governing appointments, promotions, career progression, conversion/upgrading and other personnel matters in the Federal Public Service,” the letter stated.

It further noted that officers in the Junior and Intermediate cadres would only advance beyond their terminal grade upon obtaining a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification through the approved conversion or upgrading process, subject to existing rules.

The approval follows the Federal Government’s decision in April to introduce a new unified salary structure and updated conditions of service for NiMet employees, which took effect on June 1.

The revised Scheme of Service is expected to strengthen NiMet’s institutional capacity as it discharges its responsibilities, including providing weather and climate forecasts for aviation, maritime operations, agriculture and disaster management, while supporting climate research and national preparedness for weather-related risks.