NiMet, CBN Seal Data-Sharing Pact to Boost Economic Planning, Food Security

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Central Bank of Nigeria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on data sharing aimed at strengthening economic planning and improving evidence-based policymaking in Nigeria.

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

Speaking during the ceremony, Prof. Anosike said the partnership would enable stronger integration of weather and climate information into national economic research and planning, particularly in agriculture, transportation and energy.

He warned that climate-related extreme weather events continue to threaten agricultural production and food security across Africa, stressing that reliable meteorological data has become increasingly critical for economic forecasting and policy formulation.

According to him, the collaboration supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially efforts targeted at improving food security through agricultural expansion and mechanised farming initiatives.

Anosike cited a 2026 World Bank report showing that climate change-induced weather extremes have left more than 87 million people facing hunger in East and Southern Africa, while another 52 million people are affected in West and Central Africa.

He also referenced the Berkeley Earth Report for 2026, which projected that the year could emerge as the fourth warmest globally, with implications for agriculture, energy demand and market stability.

In his remarks, Abdullahi described the MoU as a significant milestone in the collaboration between both institutions, noting that timely and credible data remain essential in managing today’s increasingly complex economic environment.

He said the CBN’s Economic Policy Directorate depends on meteorological and statistical information from NiMet for inflation tracking, agricultural performance analysis and economic policy advisory functions.

Abdullahi added that the partnership would strengthen Nigeria’s national data ecosystem and support more effective, evidence-driven policy decisions.

The MoU was formally signed by Prof. Anosike and Abdullahi on behalf of their respective institutions at the end of the event.