By Helen Udo.
The Federal Government, in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has launched the Climate-Smart Agribusiness Partnership for Resilience (CSAPR) Project to strengthen climate resilience and improve agricultural productivity across Nigeria.
The project, unveiled in Abuja on Friday, 24 July 2026, aims to expand the use of Climate Information Services (CIS) across agricultural value chains, enabling farmers and agribusinesses to make better climate-informed decisions.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, described the initiative as a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to build a productive, inclusive and climate-resilient agricultural sector.
Dr. Ogunbiyi explained that the project will integrate Climate Information Services into agribusiness solutions through collaboration involving government institutions, development partners, financial institutions, private sector organisations and farmer groups.
He commended NiMet, IFAD, the Gates Foundation and other stakeholders for supporting climate-smart agriculture and resilient food systems, while calling for sustained collaboration to unlock financing and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, described the project as a strategic initiative that aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and promotes sustainable agricultural development.
Prof. Anosike said timely, accurate and accessible weather, climate and water information remains essential for climate-smart agriculture, stronger food systems and improved resilience across agricultural value chains.
He noted that farmers, agribusinesses, financial institutions, insurers, processors, logistics providers and investors require reliable climate intelligence to manage risks, protect investments and improve productivity.
Prof. Anosike also stressed the need to provide simple, localised and actionable climate advisories while strengthening public-private partnerships to expand climate services nationwide. He reaffirmed NiMet’s support through Seasonal Climate Prediction, agrometeorological bulletins, impact-based forecasts, early warning advisories and digital climate platforms.
IFAD Country Director, Ms. Dede Ekoue, praised the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for providing leadership and acknowledged NiMet’s technical contributions to the project’s design. She said the initiative will promote financially viable public-private partnerships that integrate climate information into agricultural value chains.
Speaking for the SAPZ National Programme Coordinator, Dr. Kabir Yusuf, a representative highlighted early achievements, including the installation of automated weather stations in Ogun and Kano states, the commencement of climate information dissemination and the distribution of digital devices to leaders of farmer organisations.
Financed by the Gates Foundation and implemented by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security through the SAPZ Programme with support from IFAD and NiMet, the CSAPR Project is expected to strengthen climate resilience, enhance food security and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through sustainable agribusiness partnerships.
