The Federal Government has expressed confidence that the timely release of the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) will play a crucial role in enhancing food security across the country.
Unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja, the SCP provides critical insights into weather patterns for the upcoming farming season, aiding agricultural planning and decision-making. Farmers have also expressed optimism for a bumper harvest in 2025.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, highlighted the importance of climate intelligence in strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural sector. He noted that the sector, which contributed 17.22% to the Gross Domestic Product in the first quarter of 2024, remains the backbone of the economy, with smallholder farmers making up over 70% of the workforce.
“Early warning systems and climate intelligence are indispensable for resilience, adaptation, and economic stability. Seasonal climate prediction serves as a strategic guide for planning, decision-making, and risk mitigation,” Abdullahi stated.
He further emphasized that erratic weather events, including rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, floods, and droughts, have significantly impacted agricultural productivity, making it difficult for farmers to prepare for weather-related challenges.
The minister commended the collaboration between NiMet and the Ministry of Agriculture in integrating climate intelligence into farming practices. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting early warning systems, climate-smart agriculture, and other initiatives aimed at achieving food security and environmental resilience.
