BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
In a decisive move to combat the growing challenges posed by climate change on agriculture, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) have outlined strategic measures to safeguard Nigerian farmers, particularly smallholders, from the adverse effects of erratic weather patterns.
At a high-level meeting held on Monday, March 3, 2025, in Abuja, NiMet’s Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Charles Anosike, emphasized the critical role of collaboration in ensuring that farmers receive timely and accurate climate information to boost productivity and reduce risks.
“I commend WOFAN for the amazing work they have done over the years since 1993.
With a network of close to 700,000 farmers and their various community-based agricultural projects, including the training of agricultural extension workers, I consider the partnership between WOFAN and NiMet as one of my most important achievements because of the potential positive impact it would have on agricultural yield in Nigeria,” Professor Anosike stated.
He further highlighted that the partnership comes at a crucial time following the recent public unveiling of NiMet’s 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP).
With Nigeria’s agriculture still heavily dependent on rainfall, Professor Anosike noted that NiMet’s role in providing accurate climate forecasts would be incomplete without ensuring that farmers receive and utilize the information effectively.
“Our work at NiMet won’t be complete if our products and information are not passed to the farmers and other end users. With this partnership, we can meet the farmers before the onset of the rains to guide them properly on how to respond, reduce damages, manage pests, and mitigate crop diseases.
“This initiative will also create an avenue for direct engagement with farmers, allowing us to gather feedback on how our climate data impacts their yields,” he explained.
Responding, Hajia Salamatu Garba, Founder of WOFAN, praised Professor Anosike and the NiMet team for their unwavering commitment to providing reliable weather and climate information to the public.
She noted that WOFAN has always relied on NiMet’s climate data to implement climate-smart agricultural strategies, but this formal partnership would further enhance accessibility and efficiency.
“We have always received NiMet data from other sources, but with this partnership, we will have more direct access to crucial climate information,” Hajia Garba said.
She reiterated that this collaboration would be a game-changer for WOFAN’s vast network of smallholder farmers, most of whom are women and youth, as it would enable them to make informed decisions regarding planting seasons, irrigation, and disaster preparedness.
Both organisations have agreed to formalise their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will outline key areas of cooperation, including data sharing, training programs, and climate adaptation strategies.
With climate change increasingly disrupting traditional farming cycles, the alliance between NiMet and WOFAN is expected to serve as a model for proactive climate risk management in Nigeria.
By equipping farmers with real-time meteorological insights, the partnership aims to not only enhance food security but also contribute to national economic stability by reducing losses due to extreme weather events.
The initiative marks a significant step towards bridging the gap between climate science and grassroots agriculture, ensuring that Nigerian farmers remain resilient in the face of a changing climate.
