By Gabriel Ameh
Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening economic research and policy development through enhanced weather and climate data sharing.
The agreement was signed at the CBN Headquarters in Abuja by the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, and the Deputy Governor, Economic Policy Directorate of the CBN, Dr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Prof. Anosike said the partnership would support evidence-based economic planning by integrating weather and climate information into key sectors such as agriculture, transportation, and energy.
According to him, extreme weather conditions continue to pose serious threats to agricultural productivity and food security, making climate intelligence increasingly important for economic forecasting and national planning.
He explained that the collaboration aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises food security through expanded agricultural investments, including the cultivation of 10 million hectares of land and the distribution of mechanised farming equipment.
Prof. Anosike also referenced recent global climate reports, noting that changing weather patterns are already impacting food systems and economic stability across Africa.
He cited the World Bank’s 2026 report, which indicated that climate-related extreme weather has pushed millions of people into hunger across East, Southern, West, and Central Africa.
The NiMet DG further referred to the Berkeley Earth Report 2026, which projected that 2026 could become the fourth warmest year ever recorded globally, with significant implications for agriculture and energy markets.
On his part, Dr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi described the MoU as a major step toward deepening collaboration between two strategic national institutions.
He said timely and reliable data remain critical in navigating today’s complex economic environment and stressed that the CBN relies heavily on credible statistical information from NiMet for inflation tracking, agricultural assessments, and economic policy advisory functions.
According to him, stronger institutional partnerships will improve evidence-based policymaking and enhance the nation’s data management systems.
The event concluded with the formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by both institutions.
