The Director General/CEO, of the the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has said that the agency’s partnership with the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme will enhance food security in the country.
Anosike said this recently when strategic partnership was formalised, aimed at advancing climate resilience and sustainable agriculture across key farming regions in Nigeria.
The partnership, formalised in Abuja, will initially be implemented across seven pilot states; Cross River, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Ogun, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with a roadmap to scale nationally. The initiative targets smallholder farmers and agro-processors, equipping them with real-time weather forecasts, seasonal climate predictions, and tailored advisory services to improve decision-making and mitigate climate-related risks.
The SAPZ initiative, a five-year national agricultural transformation programme co-financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), aims to stimulate inclusive agro-industrialisation, raise rural incomes, and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on food imports.
Anosike while welcoming the partnership emphasised that meteorological services are critical to enhancing food security and reducing climate risks within Nigeria’s agricultural value chains. “We are proud to support SAPZ’s vision with timely, accurate, and accessible climate information. No farmer should be left behind in the climate-smart agriculture movement”, he said.
The National Programme Coordinator for SAPZ, Dr. Kabir Yusuf, emphasised the critical role of climate-smart solutions in addressing the unpredictable weather patterns that pose a threat to agriculture. He stated: “This collaboration with NiMet will provide actionable climate data and advisory services to farmers and agro-processors, thereby enhancing productivity, minimising losses, and fostering resilience”.
Under the agreement, NiMet will provide seasonal rainfall forecasts, localised weather updates, training for extension workers, install mini weather stations, and develop innovative applications for real-time alerts. SAPZ will integrate NiMet’s climate data into its Agricultural Industrial Hubs and Transformation Centers, supporting training, equipment, and infrastructure deployment.
A joint technical committee will oversee implementation, monitor progress, and develop innovative solutions such as localised crop calendars and precision farming tools.
The MoU is initially valid for five years, with plans to evolve into a long-term institutional framework supporting Nigeria’s national climate adaptation strategy.