NiMet, CILSS Deepen Partnership to Boost Food, Nutrition Security Systems in Nigeria
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) have pledged to strengthen collaboration in building robust food and nutrition security information systems in Nigeria, as part of broader regional efforts to improve preparedness against climate and food-related shocks.
This commitment was reaffirmed during a courtesy visit by a CILSS delegation to NiMet headquarters in Abuja, under the auspices of the Project for Strengthening and Innovating Food and Nutrition Security Information Systems (PRISISAN), which supports countries in the Sahel and West Africa to enhance food crisis management capabilities.
Professor Charles Anosike, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NiMet and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), welcomed the delegation and outlined the agency’s pivotal role in supporting early warning systems, disaster risk reduction, and national food security.
“Our partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has enabled us to downscale seasonal forecasts and provide science-based advice to farmers. This is helping them make informed decisions that boost agricultural productivity,” Prof. Anosike said.
He stressed the need for a science-driven and coordinated approach to anticipate and respond to climate-induced food emergencies. Prof. Anosike also presented the National Framework for Early Warning and Early Action, developed by NiMet under WMO guidance, as a strategic tool to harmonise institutional efforts and improve national resilience.
“This framework will be shared with all stakeholders to promote synergy, reduce duplication, and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to respond effectively to food and climate shocks,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the visiting team, Mr Williams Massaoud, leader of the CILSS delegation, praised NiMet’s contributions to climate services and highlighted the importance of integrating meteorological data into the Food and Nutrition Security Information System (FNSIS).
He explained that the PRISISAN Project, which underpins the current mission, is designed to help countries in the Sahel and West Africa build sustainable and efficient food security information systems.
“The mission brings together representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Cadre Harmonisé Taskforce, and other development partners working towards a shared goal — tackling food and nutrition insecurity in the region,” Massaoud noted.
In his concluding remarks, Prof. Anosike called for concerted efforts and cooperation among all relevant agencies and partners.
“Addressing food insecurity requires a unified approach,” he said. “By building a coordinated, data-driven, and integrated food security information system, we can enable evidence-based decisions and foster long-term resilience across Nigeria and the West African sub-region.”
The visit signals a renewed commitment to strengthening food systems and early warning capabilities amid growing challenges posed by climate variability and food insecurity in the Sahel.
