Nigerian fashion
The probe, revealed in an EFCC memo obtained by SaharaReporters on Saturday, sparked a two-day strike by the agency staff before the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, intervened to call for calm.
“This Commission is investigating a case involving the Nigeria Meteorology Agency (NIMET) and the need to seek for information from your office has become imperative,” read the EFCC’s letter dated 28th March, 2025, signed by C.E. Abdulkarim Chukkol, Director of Investigation.
Nigerian fashion
“You are kindly requested to furnish us with the following documents and information to enable us proceed with our investigation: i. List of contracts executed by NIMET from 2023 to date; ii. List of registered contractors with the Agency; iii. Evidence of requisite procurement process/procedure sequel to award of contracts; iv. Details of the account operated by the Agency and v. And any other information that will assist the Commission in the investigation.”
The letter, which cites sections 38 (1) & (2) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, marks the first public confirmation of a formal EFCC inquiry into NIMET’s contracting processes under Professor Anosike’s watch.
Earlier this week, NIMET employees downed tools in protest of what they termed “rising infractions in contract awards” and “opaque handling of agency revenues.”
A source within the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), who spoke on condition of anonymity, told SaharaReporters: “We had no choice but to strike after repeated appeals to management for transparency fell on deaf ears. Our strike crippled key services, from aviation weather reports to seasonal forecasts critical to farmers.”
The two-day stoppage forced the aviation minister, Keyamo, to summon both NIMET management and union leaders to a meeting on Wednesday, where he urged all parties to “exercise restraint” and “fully cooperate with ongoing investigations.”
In an official statement issued, NIMET’s General Manager, Public Relations, Muntari Yusuf Ibrahim, described the EFCC letter as a “routine request” that predates Professor Anosike’s appointment in December 2023:
“The EFCC has, as part of its standard procedures, asked for documentation on contracts awarded as far back as 2021. No member of our current leadership has been invited for questioning, nor is anyone under indictment. We are fully cooperating with the Commission.”
Ibrahim lamented what he termed “sensational and misleading reporting” that falsely depicted the document request as evidence of corruption within the agency’s current administration.
