Evaluation of NiMet Public Communication of Severe Weather Warnings in Southwest Nigeria

Effective public communication of severe weather warnings is a critical but often overlooked component of meteorological service delivery, determining whether scientifically accurate forecasts translate into protective action. This study evaluates NiMet's severe weather warning communication practices in Southwest Nigeria, examining the content, format, timeliness, and public reach of warnings issued for thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and strong winds across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states. Warning products issued by NiMet Southwest regional office between January 2022 and December 2023 were analyzed against a professional communication effectiveness framework adapted from WMO guidelines on warning communication. A public awareness survey administered to 240 randomly selected residents across the six states assessed warning receipt rates and behavioural responses. Results reveal that while NiMet issued 148 severe weather advisories over the study period, public awareness of specific warnings reached only 19 percent of surveyed residents, with pronounced urban-rural gaps. Analysis of warning language finds widespread use of technical terminology inaccessible to non-specialist audiences, while dissemination relies heavily on social media channels, excluding populations without internet access. Warning lead times of less than three hours were recorded for 62 percent of advisories, limiting response capacity. Recommendations include adoption of a plain-language warning protocol, partnership with community radio stations, and extension of NiMet's automated phone broadcast system to all Southwest states. Keywords: severe weather warning, NiMet, public communication, Southwest Nigeria, disaster risk.