The Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on data sharing aimed at strengthening economic planning and protecting Nigeria’s economy from climate-related disruptions.
The agreement, signed Wednesday at the CBN headquarters in Abuja, is expected to deepen the use of weather and climate intelligence in economic forecasting, inflation monitoring, agriculture planning, and energy sector analysis.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Director General of NiMet, Charles Anosike, said the collaboration reflects a growing recognition that climate and weather patterns now play a major role in shaping national economies.
According to him, extreme weather events have increasingly affected agricultural productivity, food supply chains, transportation systems, and energy markets, making climate data critical for economic policy decisions.
Anosike said the partnership aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, particularly the administration’s drive to strengthen food security through expanded agricultural investments, mechanisation, and cultivation of 10 million hectares of land.
He cited recent global reports showing worsening climate pressures on food systems across Africa.
“The integration of meteorological and climate intelligence into economic research and planning is no longer optional. It is essential for anticipating risks and improving national resilience,” he said.
The NiMet boss referenced the 2026 World Bank report, which estimated that more than 87 million people in East and Southern Africa and 52 million in West and Central Africa are currently facing hunger linked to extreme weather conditions and climate change.
He also cited the 2026 Berkeley Earth Report projecting that 2026 could emerge as the fourth warmest year on record globally.
In his remarks, Deputy Governor, Economic Policy Directorate of the CBN, Muhammad Abdullahi, described the MoU as a strategic partnership between two national institutions whose responsibilities intersect in research, policy formulation, and data management.
Abdullahi said the CBN depends heavily on credible and timely statistical information from NiMet to support inflation tracking, agricultural sector assessment, and broader macroeconomic policy advisory functions.
“In an increasingly dynamic economic environment, timely and reliable data remain critical for effective policymaking,” he said.
He added that the agreement would strengthen evidence-based decision-making and improve the robustness of Nigeria’s national data systems.
The MoU was formally signed by Anosike and Abdullahi on behalf of their respective institutions at the close of the event.
