The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), under the leadership of Director-General/CEO Prof. Charles Anosike, visited the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, to unveil first livestock weather bulletin On Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
During the visit, Prof. Anosike introduced the inaugural Livestock Weather Bulletin, stating that the purpose of the meeting was to present this first edition to the Honourable Minister of the Fqederal Ministry of Livestock Development.
He highlighted that the bulletin offers timely and precise weather information specifically designed for livestock farmers, which aids in informed decision-making, enhances productivity, facilitates effective planning, and minimizes risks associated with climate and weather.
Prof. Anosike emphasized the vital importance of meteorological data in livestock farming, explaining that weather information significantly impacts animal health, including issues like heat stress and disease, as well as feed and water availability due to pasture growth and drought conditions.
He noted that reliable forecasts empower farmers to make proactive decisions that mitigate financial risks and improve production results.
He also reaffirmed NiMet’s role as the national authority on weather and climate services and expressed the Agency’s willingness to collaborate with the Ministry to provide training and capacity building for extension officers and livestock farmers, thereby enhancing the use of meteorological data and promoting climate-resilient livestock systems.
In his response, Honourable Minister Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha underscored the significance of weather information and forecasting, sharing its practical benefits for his personal farming ventures and how he relies on weather forecasts for farm management.
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He mentioned that the Ministry has identified 417 grazing reserves across the country and has recently received approval for their rehabilitation, emphasizing that collaboration with NiMet is crucial to ensure the initiative is both climate-smart and resilient to weather challenges.
He also announced plans for a situation room in the Ministry’s new office complex, where live weather data will be displayed on a dashboard, and welcomed NiMet’s alignment with government policies aimed at modernizing the livestock sector.
The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to form a technical working group by January 2026 to identify and prioritize collaborative efforts.
They also agreed to draft and sign a Memorandum of Understanding in the first quarter of 2026 to formalize cooperation on weather data sharing and training, along with plans to organize joint workshops and capacity-building programs in early 2026.
