NiMet, AIM for Scale Seal Deal on AI-Driven Weather Forecasts for Nigerian Farmers

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has entered into a strategic partnership with Agricultural Innovation Mechanism for Scale (AIM for Scale) to enhance the delivery of weather and climate information to farmers nationwide.

The collaboration, formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), aims to deploy artificial intelligence (AI)-powered forecasting tools and strengthen digital advisory systems that translate complex weather data into practical, farmer-friendly guidance.

Under the agreement, both organisations will leverage AI-driven forecasting technologies to provide tailored weather insights, enabling farmers to make informed decisions on planting, input management, and harvesting.

The initiative is expected to reduce farmers’ vulnerability to climate shocks while boosting productivity and improving livelihoods.

AIM for Scale—supported by the UAE Presidential Court’s International Affairs Office and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation—will work with NiMet to expand access to timely and relevant climate information, ensuring it reaches farmers at scale.

NiMet, a key player in Nigeria’s climate and agricultural information ecosystem, already provides seasonal climate predictions, early warning advisories, and digital services.

The new partnership will build on this foundation by integrating AI into forecasting systems, strengthening institutional capacity, and improving how climate information is communicated to end users.

Nigeria is also among the first countries to participate in the AI Weather Forecasting Training Programme launched by AIM for Scale in collaboration with Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and the University of Chicago in Abu Dhabi in September 2025.

The programme is designed to equip countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America with the tools to generate and deliver localized forecasts.

Speaking at the MoU signing in Abuja, NiMet Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Charles Anosike, described the partnership as a major step toward improving climate services for agriculture.

He noted that access to timely rainfall forecasts and actionable climate information would help farmers better plan their activities and minimise weather-related risks.

“Accurate and timely weather and climate information is critical to national development, food security, and disaster risk management,” he said.

Also speaking, AIM for Scale Director, Imara Salas, highlighted the transformative potential of AI-powered forecasting in agriculture.

She said the initiative would help improve crop yields, enhance resource efficiency, and strengthen resilience among millions of smallholder farmers across Nigeria.

The partnership is expected to significantly boost NiMet’s capacity to deliver actionable climate services while advancing innovation in weather forecasting through the integration of AI and data-driven solutions.