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Prof. Anosike reveals NiMet’s drive for AI-driven weather forecast to help farmers
In its commitment to give farmers access to early warning and other necessary information concerning weather and climate conditions, Prof. Charles Anosike said the Nigerian Meteorogical Agency (NiMet) is partnering with critical stakeholders to include Artificial intelligence driven technologies in its operations.
Anosike made this known when he received the Agricultural Innovation Mechanism for Scale (AIM for Scale) delegation led by Imara Salas, Director of the AIM for Scale Secretariat, and Mohammad Farrae, Scientific Director, during a courtesy visit to NiMet headquarters in Abuja.
AIM for Scale is a global consortium dedicated to promoting agricultural innovation and scaling up weather services for farmers. The team’s visit focused on exploring potential areas of collaboration, particularly in the development of AI-powered weather solutions and investment mobilisation to deliver tailored, cost-effective innovations for small-holder farmers in Nigeria.
The AIM for Scale consortium comprises leading global organisations including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Inter-American Development Bank, World Bank, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), NASA, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Community Jameel, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), University of Chicago’s Human-Centered Weather Forecasts and AI for Climate (AICE) initiatives, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the United Nations Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF).
Speaking during the visit, Imara Salas commended NiMet for its proactive approach and expressed gratitude for the warm reception. She explained that AIM for Scale’s model revolves around creating tailored innovation packages and AI-driven weather forecasts that can be scaled through partnerships with national meteorological agencies such as NiMet.
“Our approach is to co-develop innovation packages that respond directly to the needs of farmers. Through partnerships, we aim to expand access to reliable, AI-powered weather information that supports decision-making, improves resilience, and boosts agricultural productivity,” Salas said.
In his remarks, Prof. Anosike expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s inclusion in AIM for Scale’s first African pilot project and the invitation extended to NiMet for the just-concluded AI weather training in Abu Dhabi. He reiterated the agency’s readiness to deploy its expertise in advancing the initiative, stressing the critical role of accurate, real-time weather information in modern agriculture.
“NiMet is fully prepared to embrace this collaboration as part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen climate services delivery. Farmers across Nigeria increasingly rely on accurate weather and climate data to guide their planting, harvesting, and risk management decisions,” Anosike stated.
He further underscored the transformative potential of AI-powered weather forecasting, noting that such systems use advanced algorithms to improve prediction accuracy and dissemination speed. According to him, these innovations will help farmers and other stakeholders make more informed decisions amid the growing impacts of climate variability.
However, Anosike identified existing infrastructure gaps particularly the limited network of in-situ weather stations and insufficient radar coverage across Nigeria as challenges requiring urgent attention to support the effective deployment of advanced forecasting systems.
Following the meeting, the NiMet DG led the AIM for Scale delegation on a guided tour of the agency’s main weather forecasting facility, showcasing NiMet’s technical capacity and current operations.
Both parties concluded the visit with an agreement to develop and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will guide future collaboration on joint research initiatives and ensure the operational sustainability of the proposed AI weather services in Nigeria.
News
Supreme Court to rule on ADC, PDP cases Thursday
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
News
Tinubu to reconstitute NHRC board, retains Ojukwu as ES/CEO
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
News
Breaking: EFCC investigates Pastor Jerry Eze over alleged money laundering
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.
“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.
He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.
The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.
He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.
The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.
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