By Abdullahi Lukman
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forged a strategic partnership with MTN and Tomorrow.io, a global leader in advanced weather technology to develop a Digital Climate Advisory Services (DCAS) system aimed at providing localized, actionable weather information to Nigerian farmers through mobile SMS.
The partnership, which culminated in the signing of an MoU, Friday, January 24, is to enhance climate resilience in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, by giving farmers real-time weather data that can help improve productivity and safeguard crops from weather-related challenges.
The initiative is in line with the United Nations’ global push for early warning systems.
During the MoU signing ceremony at NiMet Headquarters in Abuja, NiMet’s Director General and CEO, Professor Charles Anosike, outlined the importance of the partnership in achieving agricultural resilience and boosting productivity.
He emphasized that the goal of the project was to empower Nigerian farmers with timely, localized weather advisories, which he believes will be instrumental to mitigating the impact of adverse weather conditions on crops and livestock.
Anosike further noted that the partnership with MTN and Tomorrow.io is a strategic one, given their expertise in telecommunications and weather intelligence, respectively.
He expressed excitement about how this initiative could transform the agricultural landscape in Nigeria, saying, “This partnership will not only support the agricultural sector but will have a broader impact on the entire Nigerian economy.”
MTN’s CEO, Karl Toriola, echoed the optimism surrounding the partnership, stating that MTN is always looking for opportunities to collaborate with government agencies for the greater good of Nigerians.
“We are thrilled to partner with NiMet and Tomorrow.io in this innovative project that has the potential to reshape how Nigerian farmers access critical weather information.
“By supporting this initiative, we aim to improve not just agricultural outcomes but also disaster management, emergency response, and the broader economy,” Toriola said.
Tomorrow.io’s Managing Director, Dr. Henry Onyemachi, also expressed his gratitude for the partnership, praising NiMet’s leadership and the collaborative spirit that led to the MoU signing.
Under the terms of the MoU, the three parties will collaborate to develop, test, and deploy the DCAS platform.
The system will send location-specific weather advisories directly to farmers via SMS, ensuring that even those in rural or remote areas can benefit from timely updates.
These advisories will cover key weather events such as rain patterns, temperature changes, droughts, and storms, allowing farmers to make better-informed decisions on planting, irrigation, and harvesting.
The DCAS platform is expected to serve as a valuable tool for Nigerian farmers, enhancing their capacity to adapt to climate change and improve agricultural productivity.
By providing real-time weather information, the system is expected empower farmers to plan more effectively and protect their livelihoods from unpredictable weather patterns that often disrupt crop yields.
