The Federal Government has announced plans to strengthen hydrological data management and climate services in the country through a new partnership with the AGRHYMET Regional Climate Centre for West Africa and the Sahel.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, made this know when he received a delegation from AGRHYMET led by its Acting Director General, Dr. Baoua Issoufou.
Prof. Utsev explained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated the Ministry to advance key priorities in the water sector, including irrigated agriculture, water supply, food security, flood control, and climate change mitigation.
He noted that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) plays a crucial role in flood prevention and in producing the Annual Flood Outlook, while commending the Nigeria Water Resources Institute (NWRI) for its contributions to training and research in climate and water resources.
The Minister added that River Basin Development Authorities continue to support national food production efforts, stressing that the partnership with AGRHYMET will help Nigeria improve hydrological monitoring, strengthen early warning systems, and better manage climate risks.
He directed that all relevant documents be finalized to enable the prompt signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and AGRHYMET.
Earlier, the Acting Director General of AGRHYMET, Dr. Baoua Issoufou, said the collaboration aims to reinforce the climate services value chain across West Africa and the Sahel by enhancing climate information, hydrological data sharing, and capacity building.
Supporting this, the ECOWAS representative and Technical Assistant to AGRHYMET, Prof. Manzur Bako Matazu, stated that the committee focuses on training, research, hydrology, agriculture, food security, and natural resource management.
He emphasized the need for regional digital data banks, improved adaptation strategies, and technical support for national hydrological institutions.
He also commended NIHSA for its effective implementation of the Annual Flood Outlook.
The Committee consists of representatives from AGRHYMET, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and ECOWAS.
Present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Emanso Umobong; Director General of NIHSA, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, top management staff of the Ministry; and senior officials of the Agency.
