NiMet, MTN, Tomorrow.io Join Forces to Develop Digital Climate Advisory Services System
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has taken a significant step towards enhancing climate resilience in Nigeria with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Friday, 24th January 2025.
The agreement, forged with telecommunications giant MTN and advanced weather intelligence company Tomorrow.io, aims to develop a Digital Climate Advisory Services (DCAS) system designed to deliver location-specific weather advisories to Nigerian farmers via mobile SMS.
The partnership aligns with the United Nations’ goal of establishing early warning systems for all, with a particular focus on strengthening the agricultural sector.
By providing timely, localised weather information, the initiative seeks to improve agricultural productivity and fortify resilience against climate challenges.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony held at NiMet Headquarters in Abuja, Professor Charles Anosike, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, expressed optimism about the project’s impact.
He highlighted the critical role of weather information in achieving food security under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“This partnership will significantly enhance agricultural productivity and resilience by delivering actionable weather advisories directly to farmers,” said Professor Anosike.
“The collaboration with MTN and Tomorrow.io is strategic, given their leadership in their respective sectors. My primary goal has always been to open the business space of climate science to the private sector, showcasing its tremendous impact on the economy.”
Professor Anosike commended the presence of key stakeholders, including MTN’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola; Chief Information Officer, Shoyinka Shodunke; Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Tobechukwu Okigbo; and Tomorrow.io’s Managing Director, Dr. Henry Onyemachi.
In his remarks, MTN CEO Karl Toriola underscored the company’s commitment to supporting government initiatives and the Nigerian public.
“We are proud to partner with NiMet and Tomorrow.io on this groundbreaking initiative,” Toriola stated.
“This collaboration will transform the agricultural sector, improve emergency and disaster management, and ultimately contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth. We are deeply grateful to NiMet for this opportunity.”
Dr. Henry Onyemachi, Managing Director of Tomorrow.io, lauded Professor Anosike’s leadership and the progressive journey leading to the MoU.
“This project underscores our commitment to addressing food security, a critical priority under President Tinubu’s administration. We are thrilled to collaborate with NiMet and MTN to bring this impactful vision to life,” Onyemachi said.
Under the MoU, NiMet, MTN, and Tomorrow.io will jointly develop, deploy, and test the DCAS platform.
The system will deliver weather-based advisories through SMS notifications, enabling farmers to make informed decisions, reduce losses, and enhance productivity.
The event marks a milestone in public-private collaboration, with the potential to revolutionise the agricultural sector while bolstering Nigeria’s climate resilience efforts.
