The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, has said that Seasonal Climate Prediction, SCP will enhance productivity while reducing food insecurity, unemployment, and malnutrition. The minister emphasised the importance of timely Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), assuring that it enables informed decision-making and agricultural planning.
Speaking at the presentation of the 2025 SCP by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in Abuja, Abdullahi described the SCP as a crucial advisory tool for farmers.
“The SCP is a useful guide that offers site-specific downscaling. When applied, it will boost farmers’ adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change,” he said.
The minister underscored the critical role of climate intelligence in ensuring economic stability and sustainable agriculture. He said, “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.”
Highlighting agriculture’s contribution to the economy, Abdullahi noted that the sector accounted for 17.22 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2024, with smallholder farmers making up over 70 per cent of the workforce.
He commended the collaboration between NiMet and the ministry in integrating climate intelligence into agricultural practices, stating, “The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is fully supporting and committed to the early warning system, climate-smart agriculture, and every development initiative to achieve food security and a resilient environment.”
Abdullahi further revealed that the Tinubu-led administration has prioritised SCP, assigning the office of the Presidential Special Envoy on Climate Action to lead climate negotiations and coordinate climate-related activities across federal ministries.
