Nigeria Brings Weather Alerts to 100K Farmers by Phone

Imagine knowing exactly when the rains will come so you can plant at the perfect moment. That's the future arriving for Nigerian farmers through a new digital climate service launching across six states.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency is partnering with Tomorrow.io and MTN to deliver personalized weather forecasts and farming advice directly to farmers' phones. The system will send simple messages in local languages, telling farmers not just what weather is coming but exactly what to do about it.

The difference matters enormously. Charles Anosike, director general of NiMet, explains the system goes beyond simple forecasts by combining weather data with crop growth stages and practical agronomic guidance. A farmer won't just learn rain is coming. They'll receive specific instructions on whether to fertilize now or wait three days.

The pilot targets 100,000 farmers across six Nigerian states, with each representing a different geographic zone. Boniface Akuku from Tomorrow.io emphasizes that accurate forecasts alone aren't enough because simply alerting farmers about weather conditions without clear direction only creates worry. The real breakthrough comes from translating complex meteorological data into actionable steps farmers can immediately use.

The system works on any mobile phone, including basic feature phones that most rural farmers own. Messages arrive in local languages, ensuring accessibility across literacy levels and regions.

The Ripple Effect

Tomorrow.io has already proven this model works at massive scale in East Africa. The organization currently reaches nearly six million farmers in Kenya with weekly advisories and has expanded to Malawi and Zambia. Miranda Bryan, CEO of Tomorrow.io's nonprofit arm, notes that 90 percent of African farmers rely entirely on rainfall, making weather timing critical for survival and success.

The Nigerian government is fully backing the initiative. Marcus Ogunbiyi from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security points out that smallholder farmers suffer most from climate change and desperately need precise, community level guidance. The ministry is working to ensure the system can sustain itself and scale beyond a short term pilot.

Discussions are already underway about expanding to millions of farmers if the pilot succeeds. The partners are building technical frameworks and documentation now to support rapid growth across Nigeria and potentially other West African nations.

For farmers who have relied on traditional weather knowledge for generations, this technology represents a lifeline in an era of increasingly unpredictable climate patterns.