NiMet, MTN, Tomorrow.io Partner to Launch Digital Climate Advisory Services for Nigerian Farmers

Left to right: Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN; Professor Charles Anosike, DG and CEO of NiMet; Dr. Henry Onyemachi, Managing Director of Tomorrow.io, at the MoU signing ceremony to develop the Digital Climate Advisory Services (DCAS) System at NiMet Headquarters in Abuja on 24th January 2025.

the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) signed a significant memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nigeria’s top telecommunication provider, MTN, and advanced weather intelligence company Tomorrow.io. This collaboration aims to develop a Digital Climate Advisory Services (DCAS) System designed to deliver location-specific, actionable weather advisories directly to Nigerian farmers via mobile SMS.

Aligned with the United Nations’ goal of ensuring universal access to early warning systems, this partnership seeks to enhance climate resilience across Nigeria, with a particular focus on the agricultural sector. The DCAS platform will provide vital, real-time weather updates to help farmers make informed decisions, fostering improved agricultural productivity and contributing to food security in the country.

At the MoU signing event at NiMet’s headquarters in Abuja, NiMet’s Director General and CEO, Professor Charles Anosike, emphasized the partnership’s potential to support the agricultural sector. He noted that the initiative aligns with the food security agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government. “The goal is to provide localized, timely weather advisories that will help strengthen agricultural resilience,” he said.

Professor Anosike highlighted the strategic choice of MTN and Tomorrow.io as partners, commending them for their leadership in the telecommunication and weather intelligence sectors. He expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to engage the private sector in the field of climate science. “This MoU will not only benefit the agricultural sector but will also have a broader impact on Nigeria’s economy,” he concluded.

MTN’s CEO, Karl Toriola, expressed optimism about the collaboration’s impact on Nigeria’s agricultural sector, emergency management, and economy. “We are grateful to NiMet for giving us the opportunity to contribute to this transformative initiative,” he said.

Dr. Henry Onyemachi, Managing Director of Tomorrow.io, praised the leadership of NiMet’s Professor Anosike, recognizing his role in facilitating the partnership. He reflected on the year-long journey leading to the signing, emphasizing the project’s potential to bolster food security, a key priority for President Tinubu’s administration.

Under the terms of the MoU, NiMet, MTN, and Tomorrow.io will work together to develop, deploy, and test the DCAS platform. This system will ensure that weather-based advisories reach farmers, empowering them to take proactive measures for enhanced productivity and climate adaptation.