NiMet
By Olamilekan Abayomi
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) is taking a significant step towards enhancing weather forecasting and digital innovation by setting up an AI team. This move is part of NiMet’s commitment to leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve the accuracy and accessibility of climate information for Nigerian farmers and other stakeholders.
The agency has already begun collaborating with various global partners, including the Agricultural Innovation Mechanism for Scale (AIM for Scale), to develop AI-driven weather solutions. This partnership aims to provide reliable, real-time weather information to empower farmers, reduce risks, and improve agricultural productivity.
NiMet’s Director General, Prof. Charles Anosike, emphasized the agency’s readiness to support this initiative, highlighting NiMet’s growing investment in data infrastructure, technical expertise, and user-focused climate services. He also noted the importance of addressing existing challenges, such as limited in-situ weather stations and the need to expand radar coverage.
The AI team will likely focus on developing innovative solutions to these challenges, including AI-powered weather forecasting systems that use advanced algorithms to improve forecasting accuracy and deliver information quickly. This will enable farmers and other users to adapt to changing conditions and make informed decisions.
NiMet has also partnered with MTN Nigeria and (link unavailable) to launch a Digital Climate Advisory Services System, providing farmers with location-based weather updates via SMS. This initiative supports food security and aligns with global early warning goals.
By embracing AI and digital innovation, NiMet is paving the way for more effective weather services, which will benefit smallholder farmers, other stakeholders, and the broader economy.
