The initiative, launched in Abuja on Thursday, will deliver weekly weather-driven advisories to farmers, guiding critical decisions such as planting dates, fertiliser application, pest management and harvesting. The programme is expected to help farmers better adapt to shifting weather patterns and reduce yield losses linked to climate variability.
Transforming Climate Service Delivery
Director-General of NiMet, Charles Anosike, described the project as a major step forward in climate service innovation.
“The decision tree is not merely a technical tool. It reflects the co-design principles that underpin our work,” Anosike said, noting that the system was developed through consultations with end-users, policymakers and technical experts to ensure practicality and adaptability.
According to him, the platform combines meteorological data expertise, advanced analytics and user-centred design to deliver tailored guidance not only for agriculture, but also for aviation, disaster management and other climate-sensitive sectors. He added that the collaboration highlights the strength of partnerships between global technology innovators and local institutions.
Tackling Unpredictable Weather
Chief Executive Officer of TomorrowNow, Brian Miranda, emphasised the urgency of providing reliable weather intelligence to farmers, most of whom depend on rainfall.
“Every single day, the first question farmers ask is: when will the rains come? Ninety percent of farmers across Africa are rain-fed,” Miranda said. “If you plant too early or too late, even by a few weeks, you can suffer a 10 to 20 per cent yield penalty.”
He noted that weather patterns have become increasingly unpredictable compared to a decade ago, while many farming practices have remained unchanged. Without adjusting to new climate realities, he warned, farmers risk repeated poor harvests.
TomorrowNow has already reached nearly six million farmers in Kenya and close to one million in Malawi, with recent expansion into Zambia. Nigeria marks its next major entry point, with an ambitious long-term vision.
“Our vision is 100 million weather-resilient farmers across Africa,” Miranda said. “We are starting this pilot with about 100,000 farmers in multiple states, but we expect this to grow into tens of millions across Nigeria.”
Phased Rollout
The project will initially deploy SMS-based advisories to participating farmers, leveraging MTN’s extensive telecommunications network. Plans are in place to expand into voice-based services and to equip agricultural extension agents with high-quality forecast tools to enhance outreach and localised support.
General Manager of Public-Private Partnerships at NiMet, Ifeoma Ebede, said the Abuja workshop marked a critical milestone toward finalising documentation for nationwide implementation.
With climate change increasingly threatening agricultural productivity, stakeholders say the initiative represents a practical and scalable solution to help Nigeria’s smallholder farmers adapt, improve yields and strengthen national food security.