NiMet, CILSS Deepen Ties on Food, Nutrition Security Systems

NiMet, CILSS Deepen Ties on Food, Nutrition Security Systems

By JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) have agreed to strengthen collaboration on improving food and nutrition security information systems in Nigeria.

This commitment was reaffirmed during a courtesy visit by a CILSS delegation to NiMet Headquarters in Abuja, where both bodies stressed the need for a science-driven, coordinated approach to tackle food insecurity and climate-related challenges.

Speaking during the meeting, the Director General/CEO of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, highlighted the agency’s role in early warning systems and its ongoing partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to deliver localized seasonal forecasts that help farmers make informed agricultural decisions.

“NiMet is committed to advancing early warning and early action through a science-based approach,”

“We have developed a National Framework for Early Warning and Early Action, guided by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), to enhance collaboration among institutions working on food security, disaster risk reduction, and climate resilience,” Anosike said.

He assured the CILSS team that the framework would be shared with stakeholders to boost synergy, avoid duplication, and improve national readiness for food and climate-related emergencies.

Leader of the visiting delegation, Williams Massaoud, praised NiMet for its vital contribution to climate services, noting the significance of integrating meteorological data into national food and nutrition security systems.

He explained that the mission falls under the PRISISAN Project, a regional initiative to strengthen food and nutrition security information systems in the Sahel and West Africa.

“The PRISISAN Project is designed to help countries develop robust systems for managing food crises more effectively.

“This mission includes partners like the FAO, WFP, FMAFS, and other key stakeholders committed to addressing food insecurity,” Massaoud said.

Prof. Anosike concluded the engagement with a call for collective action: “All stakeholders must work together in building a coordinated, data-driven and integrated food security information system that supports evidence-based decision-making and long-term resilience.”