NiMet, Partners Conclude Climate Risk Management Training for Agricultural Extension Officers

By Iyojo Ameh

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), in collaboration with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), the Sasakawa Africa Association and other partners, has concluded a 10-day Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension (CRMAE) Training of Trainers workshop in Abuja.

The workshop, aimed at strengthening the capacity of agricultural extension professionals to deliver climate-informed advisory services, ended with a closing ceremony chaired by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike.

Also in attendance were Dr. Esther Ibrahim, Programme Officer at AGRA Nigeria representing the AGRA Country Director; ILRI Representative, Mr. Pierre Sibiry; climate expert and resource person, Dr. Jim Hansen; Country Director of the Sasakawa Africa Association, Dr. Godwin Atser; and Dr. Victoria Pillah of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Addressing participants, Prof. Anosike described agricultural extension officers as the vital link between climate services and farmers, noting that they play a key role in translating weather and climate information into practical guidance on planting dates, crop selection, water management and other climate-smart farming practices.

He said the training demonstrated the shared commitment of NiMet and its partners to ensuring that climate information is accessible, understandable and useful to farmers across Nigeria.

According to him, the Nigeria-adapted Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension curriculum will equip extension personnel with the knowledge and skills needed to provide timely, climate-informed advisory services to farming communities.

Prof. Anosike cited evidence showing that effective, localised agricultural extension services can increase farm productivity by between 20 and 30 per cent while reducing farmers’ vulnerability to climate-related shocks.

He urged participants to replicate the training through extension networks, farmer groups, cooperatives and rural communities, stressing that the programme’s impact would be measured by improved livelihoods, stronger climate resilience and enhanced national food security.

The NiMet Director-General reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to institutionalising and promoting the widespread adoption of the Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension curriculum as part of efforts to strengthen climate services for agriculture and support Nigeria’s food security agenda.

Speaking on behalf of the AGRA Country Director, Dr. Esther Ibrahim described climate risk management as an indispensable component of modern agricultural extension.

She encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained during the workshop to provide farmers with timely, reliable and actionable climate information that would enable them to make informed decisions and build resilience against climate-related challenges.

The workshop ended with the presentation of certificates to participants, who are expected to cascade the training across extension networks and farming communities to bridge the gap between climate science and farm-level decision-making, while improving farmers’ resilience to climate risks.