NiMet, CBN Seal Landmark Data-Sharing Pact to Strengthen Economic Policy, Food Security
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on data sharing aimed at improving economic planning, policy formulation, and national decision-making through the integration of weather and climate intelligence.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday at the CBN Headquarters in Abuja by the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Charles Anosike, and the Deputy Governor, Economic Policy Directorate of the CBN, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Prof. Anosike described the partnership as a strategic collaboration that would deepen the use of meteorological and climate data in economic research and national planning, particularly in critical sectors such as agriculture, transportation, and energy.
According to him, the increasing impact of extreme weather conditions on agricultural productivity and food supply chains has made climate information indispensable for economic stability and sustainable development.
He noted that the collaboration supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places strong emphasis on food security and agricultural expansion through the cultivation of 10 million hectares of land and the deployment of mechanised farming equipment across the country.
Prof. Anosike warned that climate change continues to pose serious threats to food systems globally.
Citing the 2026 World Bank report, he said extreme weather conditions linked to climate change have left more than 87 million people facing hunger in East and Southern Africa, while an additional 52 million people in West and Central Africa are experiencing food insecurity.
He also referenced the 2026 Berkeley Earth Report, which projects that 2026 is likely to emerge as the fourth warmest year ever recorded globally, a development he said is already influencing agricultural forecasts, commodity prices, and energy market projections.
The NiMet Director General stressed that accurate and timely weather data would assist policymakers, financial institutions, and researchers in making informed decisions capable of reducing economic vulnerabilities associated with climate-related disruptions.
In his remarks, Dr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi described the signing of the MoU as a major step towards strengthening institutional collaboration between two agencies whose responsibilities intersect in the areas of data, research, and policy support.
He said the present global economic environment requires dependable and timely data to support sound policymaking and national economic resilience.
According to Abdullahi, the Economic Policy Directorate of the CBN relies significantly on credible statistical and meteorological information from NiMet for inflation monitoring, agricultural sector assessments, and broader economic advisory functions.
He explained that weather and climate trends play an increasingly important role in understanding inflationary pressures, food supply patterns, and economic performance, making the partnership both timely and strategic.
Abdullahi further stated that stronger collaboration between institutions remains critical to advancing evidence-based policymaking and improving the quality and robustness of Nigeria’s national data systems.
The event concluded with the formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by Prof. Anosike on behalf of NiMet and Dr. Abdullahi on behalf of the Central Bank of Nigeria, signalling the beginning of a new phase of cooperation between the two institutions in the use of climate and economic data for national development.
