By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), in line with its statutory mandate, has produced the draft 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) and convened a Stakeholders’ Meeting to validate the document and enrich sector-specific advisories through co-creation and co-production.

The meeting brought together stakeholders from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federal Ministry of Environment, aviation, agriculture, water resources, disaster risk management, health, humanitarian response, and other allied sectors, providing a collaborative platform to refine the 2026 climate outlook and ensure its relevance, usability, and impact.

Declaring the meeting open, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NiMet and Permanent Representative of Nigeria with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Professor Charles Anosike, underscored the strategic importance of the SCP to national development.

“Our annual Seasonal Climate Prediction is not just a scientific exercise; it is a vital tool for decision-making across a wide spectrum of sectors — from aviation, agriculture and water resources to transportation, health, disaster risk reduction, construction and beyond.”

He emphasized that stakeholder engagement remains central to NiMet’s approach to climate services delivery.

“The insights and feedback that emerge from this gathering are invaluable, ensuring our predictions are not only scientifically robust but also tailored to the real needs of our diverse communities and stakeholders.”

Professor Anosike further noted that climate variability and extreme weather events demand collective action, stressing that collaboration is key to translating climate information into practical solutions that protect lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure.

The WMO Representative to Nigeria, Dr. Roland Abah, commended NiMet for aligning its SCP process with global best practices, particularly its strong emphasis on user engagement and co-production. He described NiMet’s SCP as a credible decision-support tool that continues to strengthen climate resilience across sectors.

Also speaking, Mr. Babatunde Ojei, Country Director of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), praised NiMet for the consistency and reliability of its seasonal forecasts, noting that SCP data has significantly improved humanitarian planning, early action, and anticipatory response in vulnerable communities.

Similarly, Hajiya Maimuna Lawal, Director of Strategy and Innovation at the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), lauded NiMet for producing “highly practical and farmer-friendly climate information,” stressing that the SCP has become indispensable in guiding planting decisions, reducing losses, and improving livelihoods for smallholder farmers, especially women.

In his remarks, Mr. Jonah D. Barde, Representative of the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Environment, praised NiMet for its consistency in delivering timely and reliable climate information that supports national environmental policies and climate action initiatives. He specifically commended the Agency’s transition to digital climate services, describing it as a forward-looking step that enhances data accessibility, transparency, and efficiency. According to him, NiMet’s digital innovations are also contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s climate finance architecture, including efforts to strengthen the country’s carbon credit potential through improved climate data and monitoring systems.

The meeting reaffirmed NiMet’s commitment to delivering climate services that are inclusive, actionable, and responsive to sectoral needs, while strengthening partnerships at national and international levels.

As deliberations continue, stakeholders are expected to contribute technical inputs that will further enhance the 2026 SCP, ensuring it remains a robust tool for planning, risk reduction, and sustainable development in Nigeria and the wider region.