BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Malnutrition remains a pressing challenge in many communities, but a strengthened partnership between the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) aims to address the issue by leveraging climate and weather intelligence to enhance agricultural sustainability and food security.
This commitment was reaffirmed during a strategic meeting held at NiMet headquarters in Abuja on Friday, March 21, 2025.
Speaking at the meeting, NiMet’s Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Charles Anosike, emphasized the crucial link between soil health, weather conditions, and nutrition.
“Nutrition starts with soil health, and weather plays a pivotal role in determining soil quality and plant nutrition.
“Formalizing our partnership with GAIN will enhance our collective understanding of these relationships, fostering sustainable agricultural practices that directly benefit Nigerian farmers and communities,” Prof. Anosike stated.
He highlighted NiMet’s ongoing efforts to downscale its 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) into local languages, making climate insights more accessible.
He also proposed deeper collaboration between both organizations to ensure that climate forecasts are effectively disseminated to farmers, helping them make informed agricultural decisions.
In response, Dr. Michael Ojo, Country Director of GAIN, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to fighting malnutrition and acknowledged NiMet’s long-standing support.
“For at least three years, NiMet has been an invaluable partner—providing us with critical weather forecasts, training for farmers, and support for agricultural extension workers. We deeply appreciate the agency’s dedication, and we look forward to expanding our collaboration to include joint research and capacity-building initiatives,” Dr. Ojo said.
The expanded partnership will focus on climate change, environmental impacts on agriculture, and food system resilience.
Both organizations plan to leverage their expertise in key areas such as developing crop calendars, optimizing climate predictions for specific crops, and expanding localized climate forecasts in underserved communities.
By integrating climate intelligence with nutrition-focused interventions, NiMet and GAIN are paving the way for more resilient food systems, ensuring that farmers have the necessary tools to adapt to changing weather patterns while improving food quality and availability across Nigeria.
