By: Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja.

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 strengthening economic decision-making and addressing the growing impact of climate change on agriculture and food security across Africa.

The agreement was signed on Wednesday at the CBN Headquarters in Abuja by Prof. Charles Anosike, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, and Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, Deputy Governor, Economic Policy Directorate of the CBN.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Prof. Anosike warned that extreme weather driven by climate change continues to threaten agricultural productivity and global food systems, worsening food insecurity across the African continent.

He cited the World Bank’s 2026 report, which revealed that more than 87 million people are currently facing hunger in East and Southern Africa, while another 52 million are affected in West and Central Africa due to climate-related shocks and extreme weather conditions.

Prof. Anosike also referenced the Berkeley Earth Report (2026), which projects that 2026 is likely to become the fourth warmest year ever recorded globally, noting that rising temperatures are already influencing agricultural output, energy demand, and market projections worldwide.

According to him, integrating weather and climate information into economic planning has become increasingly important, especially in sectors such as agriculture, transportation, and energy.

He further stated that the partnership aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes food security through large-scale agricultural investments, including plans to cultivate 10 million hectares of land and distribute mechanised farming equipment nationwide.

In his remarks, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi described the MoU as a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration between two strategic national institutions whose responsibilities intersect in research, data management, and policy support.

He emphasized that in today’s increasingly complex and dynamic economic environment, access to timely, reliable, and credible data remains critical for effective policy formulation and implementation.

Abdullahi explained that the CBN’s Economic Policy Directorate depends heavily on NiMet’s statistical and climate-related information for inflation monitoring, agricultural sector assessment, and broader economic policy advisory functions.

He described the initiative as both timely and necessary, stressing that stronger institutional partnerships are essential for improving evidence-based policymaking and enhancing the nation’s data systems.

The ceremony concluded with the formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by Prof. Charles Anosike on behalf of NiMet and Muhammad Sani Abdullahi on behalf of the Central Bank of Nigeria, signaling a new phase of cooperation between climate science and economic policy institutions in Nigeria.