The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has denied allegations that farmers incurred losses of nearly N5 trillion due to inaccurate weather forecasts, labeling these claims as false, sensational, and lacking credible evidence.
The agency stated that the assertion of farmers losing “nearly N5 trillion” in productive assets over a two-year period, primarily attributed to NiMet’s weather data, is a smear campaign based on intentional misinformation, without any verifiable proof, clear methodology, or independent evaluation to back it up.
NiMet highlighted its long-standing history of over 140 years in delivering trustworthy weather and climate services to Nigeria, which aid in policy planning and operational decision-making in vital sectors, especially agriculture.
The agency pointed out that its forecasts for the 2024 and 2025 seasons were thoroughly evaluated by development partners, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), stakeholders, and farmers across various regions, achieving accuracy levels reportedly exceeding 90 percent, significantly higher than the internationally recognized 60 percent standard.
NiMet explained that its seasonal climate predictions, early warning alerts, and localized agro-advisories have consistently enabled farmers to make informed decisions regarding planting schedules, crop selections, irrigation management, and climate risk mitigation.
These services are disseminated through state governments, agricultural extension services, traditional and digital media, as well as direct digital channels.
Supporting its stance with sector-specific data, NiMet referenced the executive summary of the 2025 wet season agricultural performance in Nigeria, a detailed survey conducted in collaboration with key stakeholders in the agricultural value chain.
These stakeholders included research institutes, regulatory bodies, commodity associations, and federal and state ministries of agriculture and livestock development, along with agencies such as the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The report indicated that Nigeria’s agricultural sector has seen significant improvements, with increases in both crop yields and livestock production.
The output of major staples like rice, maize, cowpea, yam, cassava, and groundnut surpassed 2024 levels, while food prices decreased across all regions, reflecting improved supply and the success of ongoing interventions.
The survey further confirmed that agriculture is a vital component of national stability and economic growth, playing a crucial role in food security and livelihoods.
