By Nkechi Eze
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Professor Charles Anosike, has underscored the importance of climate-smart Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in safeguarding agribusiness and food security amidst growing climate risks.
Prof. Anosike made this known on Monday, 25th August 2025, while delivering his opening remarks at the Best Practice Workshop on Public-Private Partnership for Climate Information Services and the Validation of the Climate-Smart Agribusiness Partnership for Resilience (CSAPR) Programme in Abuja.
Commending the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for convening the workshop, the NiMet boss stressed that embedding climate data into project design was crucial for long-term resilience in the agricultural sector.
“Climate Smart Public Private Partnership (PPP) is critical in this era of Climate Change to enable integration of climate related risks into agro-infrastructure development,” he said. “This can be achieved by embedding climate data and adaptation, mitigation measures into project design to ensure long-term stability.”
Prof. Anosike acknowledged IFAD’s enduring collaboration with NiMet through key initiatives such as the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), and Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ). He particularly thanked IFAD’s Country Director, Mrs. Dede Ekoue, for her steadfast support and commitment to strengthening NiMet’s partnerships.
Highlighting NiMet’s recent achievements in advancing climate services, the DG drew attention to the launch of the Enhancing National Climate Services (ENACTS) Maproom, a tool designed to expand access to climate information across Nigeria. The Maproom, he explained, provides real-time weather forecasts, historical climate data, and tailored advisories that enable farmers to make informed decisions on planting, harvesting, and managing risks.
“The Maproom is a powerful tool to accelerate access to climate information in Nigeria, especially for those involved in agribusiness. I encourage you all to explore the NiMet Maproom by visiting the NiMet website and share your valuable feedback,” Anosike said.
Underscoring the workshop’s core objective, he added: “In line with the objective of this workshop today, to build a common understanding of best practices for Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in Climate Information Services (CIS) NiMet is actively engaging with private sector practitioners across the CIS value chain to establish sustainable Digital Climate Advisory Services (DCAS) for smallholder farmers in Nigeria. These efforts are designed to deliver timely and accurate climate information, enabling smallholder farmers to make informed decisions that improve crop yields, protect their livelihoods, and strengthen resilience to the impacts of climate change.”
In her remarks, IFAD Country Director, Mrs. Dede Ekoue, applauded NiMet for its leadership role in generating and disseminating climate information, describing the agency as a vital pillar in safeguarding livelihoods and strengthening national resilience.
“Through its work in generating and disseminating climate data and forecasts, NiMet has been at the forefront of safeguarding livelihoods and strengthening national resilience,” she said. “The Agency’s role in forging stronger linkages between science, policy, and practice is indispensable. Going forward, deeper partnerships with the private sector and development actors will be critical in ensuring that climate information is not only generated but also translated into accessible, affordable, and actionable services for millions of smallholder farmers.”
The workshop, which brought together policymakers, private sector stakeholders, and development partners, aimed at building a shared understanding of best practices for climate-smart partnerships while validating the CSAPR Programme, a major step toward equipping Nigeria’s agricultural sector with the tools to thrive in the face of climate change.
