Federal Government Unveils Digital Climate Advisory System for Nigerian Farmers
The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially launched a groundbreaking digital climate advisory tool designed to revolutionize farming practices across the nation. This innovative system aims to provide at least 100,000 farmers with precise weather guidance to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience.
Strategic Partnership and Pilot Phase Implementation
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has entered into a strategic collaboration with global weather intelligence company Tomorrow.io to deploy this digital climate advisory platform. The initiative was formally unveiled during a ceremony in Abuja on February 12, 2026, with significant support from telecommunications giant MTN Nigeria.
NiMet Director General Charles Anosike emphasized that this initiative represents a fundamental shift toward practical, data-driven decision-making for weather-sensitive sectors. "This digital climate advisory system decision tree framework blends technical meteorological data with user-focused design principles," Anosike stated during the launch event.
The pilot phase has already gathered comprehensive climate data from six states strategically selected across Nigeria's geopolitical zones. This initial data collection will serve as the foundation for expanding the program nationwide.
Comprehensive Agricultural Guidance System
The digital platform offers farmers tailored advice across multiple critical agricultural activities, including optimal planting times, appropriate crop selection, efficient fertilizer application, and strategic harvesting schedules. The system combines diverse meteorological data sources with advanced analytics to provide clear, actionable pathways for interpreting complex environmental information.
Tomorrow.io Chief Executive Officer Brian Miranda explained the organization's approach: "We focus on delivering short-term seasonal predictions while supporting farmers throughout the entire agricultural cycle from planting to harvest. Having successfully reached millions of farmers in Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia, we're now localizing our tools for the Nigerian agricultural context."
Addressing Climate Challenges in Nigerian Agriculture
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security representative Iyabo Mustapha highlighted the urgent need for such interventions, noting that climate change has disproportionately affected rural farming communities. "This partnership will help build resilience among smallholder farmers who depend largely on rain-fed agriculture and often lack access to irrigation knowledge and resources," Mustapha emphasized.
NiMet's General Manager for Public Private Partnerships, Ifeoma Ebede, detailed the program's focus on developing comprehensive documentation and frameworks necessary for expanding climate advisory services. The initiative specifically targets the dismantling of operational silos by encouraging shared ownership of climate solutions among stakeholders.
Future Expansion and Agricultural Impact
The Nigeria pilot program will commence with approximately 100,000 farmers, with ambitious plans for rapid scaling across the country. The system was developed through extensive consultations with policymakers, technical experts, and end users to ensure both relevance and adaptability to Nigeria's diverse agricultural landscape.
Beyond agriculture, the platform also provides guidance for aviation operations and disaster management, demonstrating its multi-sectoral utility. This comprehensive approach reflects Nigeria's commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable development across weather-sensitive industries.
