Abuja, Nigeria — In a move aimed at bolstering climate resilience and supporting smallholder farmers across Nigeria, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA).
The agreement, announced on Wednesday through a statement by NiMet’s media team, seeks to improve the delivery of agro-meteorological data to rural communities, helping farmers make informed decisions in the face of changing weather patterns.
“The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has formalised its partnership with the Human and Environmental Development Agenda by signing a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at expanding agro-meteorological information delivery to smallholder farmers across Nigeria,” the statement read.
The MoU builds on a longstanding collaboration between the two institutions that dates back to 2010. This renewed alliance underscores a shared commitment to enhancing access to accurate, timely, and user-friendly weather and climate information in underserved farming communities.
At the signing event held at NiMet’s headquarters, HEDA’s Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu, and Legal and Liaison Officer, Miss Tonye Dappa, thanked NiMet’s Director-General and CEO, Professor Charles Anosike, for his leadership and support in advancing climate communication.
Professor Anosike emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships in translating scientific knowledge into actionable insights for farmers.
“Connecting climate science with grassroots action is critical,” he said, noting that NiMet’s studio facilities would be made available for co-developing farmer-focused climate education content.
According to the agency, the partnership will focus on expanding access to early warning systems, promoting climate-smart agricultural practices, and enhancing disaster preparedness—particularly in rural areas vulnerable to extreme weather events.
“The collaboration is expected to improve early warning systems, support climate-smart agriculture, and strengthen national resilience to climate change,” the statement added.
Both NiMet and HEDA reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring inclusive access to vital meteorological data that can empower farmers and reduce the risks associated with climate variability.
This latest development marks a significant step toward ensuring that Nigeria’s agricultural sector—largely composed of smallholder farmers—can better adapt to the growing impacts of climate change while contributing to national food security and sustainable development.