BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) have signed a key Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen climate-resilient agriculture in Nigeria.
The agreement, sealed on Wednesday at NiMet’s headquarters in Abuja, will see both organisations work closely to develop innovative climate-smart weather tools, build farmers’ capacity, and promote technologies that safeguard agricultural value chains against the adverse effects of climate change.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, NiMet’s Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Charles Anosike, stressed the importance of the collaboration in empowering farmers with timely and reliable information.
“For agriculture to be truly climate-resilient, access to reliable weather and climate information is essential. This MoU enables us to combine our expertise with AATF to deliver impactful solutions to farmers,” he said.
In his remarks, Dr. Jean Baptiste Tignegre, Regional Director of AATF, reaffirmed the foundation’s mission to remove barriers preventing smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa from accessing transformative technologies.
He described the partnership as a significant step towards ensuring that Nigerian farmers are better equipped to withstand climate shocks.
“This collaboration with NiMet will ensure that farmers in Nigeria are better equipped to face climate challenges. Partnerships like this can scale innovations that improve food security and livelihoods,” he noted.
The MoU commits both parties to developing tools and services that will particularly benefit women- and youth-led agricultural enterprises, as well as providing technical support in selected project areas and collaborating on funding proposals for climate-smart technology initiatives.
The agreement, which runs until January 31, 2028, also outlines measures for transparent project implementation and coordinated planning, while preserving the distinct mandates of each organisation.
Through this alliance, NiMet and AATF aim to enhance farmers’ resilience to the changing climate, reinforce Nigeria’s agricultural value chains, and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s long-term food security.
