The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has deepened its commitment to supporting agriculture through the NiMet HEDA farmer partnership initiative. This development follows the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA).
The collaboration, which initially began in 2010, has now been renewed with a sharper focus on smallholder farmers. According to the agreement, NiMet and HEDA will jointly enhance the delivery of agro-meteorological information to rural farming communities across Nigeria.
Director General Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Professor Charles Anosike, presided over the ceremony and emphasized the role of collaboration in combating climate threats. He stated, “Partnerships like this help us bring climate science directly to those most vulnerable, especially smallholder farmers.”
Also present at the MoU signing were Executive Secretary HEDA Resource Centre, Mr. Sulaimon Arigbabu, and Legal and Liaison Officer, Miss Tonye Dappa. Both representatives praised NiMet’s support and applauded Professor Anosike’s leadership.
Mr. Arigbabu expressed optimism about the renewed engagement. “This partnership offers hope to farmers who depend on accurate, timely weather updates for their livelihoods,” he said.
The **NiMet HEDA farmer partnership** aims to build an inclusive system where farmers can receive real-time weather alerts, early warnings, and climate-smart farming advice. Additionally, NiMet has pledged to provide its studio facilities to co-create educational content.
These climate education tools are expected to be broadcast via local radio and community networks to reach underserved farming populations. Through these initiatives, NiMet and HEDA seek to build resilience against climate-related agricultural losses.
Both institutions agreed that tackling climate change requires grassroots involvement. They reaffirmed their joint goal to ensure vital climate data reaches every farming household, regardless of location.
Professor Anosike emphasized that access to meteorological data empowers farmers to make better decisions. “We want to shift from reactive responses to proactive planning using accurate climate information,” he added.
Meanwhile, this renewed collaboration comes at a critical time when erratic weather patterns have disrupted planting and harvesting schedules. As such, strengthening early warning systems has become a national priority.
By combining NiMet’s technical expertise and HEDA’s community network, the MoU serves as a blueprint for inclusive, data-driven agricultural development. Both parties committed to monitoring the partnership’s impact and adjusting strategies as needed.
This formal agreement not only bridges the gap between science and practice but also reinforces Nigeria’s preparedness for climate-related agricultural challenges.
