The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, and 3IS have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to strengthen collaboration on the ANTICIPA project aimed at improving the delivery of climate information to vulnerable communities in Nigeria.
The agreement was signed as part of efforts to use artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to support anticipatory action and early warning services.
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Speaking at the ceremony, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike, highlighted the growing role of new technologies in taking climate information to people at the last mile.
Professor Anosike said the initiative would contribute to efforts towards achieving Early Warnings for All by providing AI-driven solutions that can make climate information more accessible to communities.
ANTICIPA Project Manager, Pridon Japaridze, said the project is currently being piloted in Sokoto State, where 3IS is working with NiMet to translate meteorological information into practical advice for communities.
He explained that the pilot uses an artificial intelligence-powered WhatsApp chatbot that receives NiMet forecasts and applies a decision tree to generate advisories for users.
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According to him, the advisories are delivered through text or voice messages in users’ preferred language, with Hausa currently available for the Sokoto State pilot.
The project is designed to help communities better understand weather and climate information and take appropriate action ahead of potentially hazardous events.
Professor Anosike said the MoU would also provide an opportunity to expand the ANTICIPA project to other parts of the country, subject to the outcomes of the pilot and agreed implementation plans.
He further highlighted the potential for collaboration between 3IS and NiMet’s artificial intelligence team on research and development to support the sustainability and further improvement of the project.
The MoU was signed by Professor Charles Anosike on behalf of NiMet, while Hélène Pelisson signed on behalf of 3IS.
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The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the two organisations, including coordination, knowledge exchange, implementation planning and engagement with relevant stakeholders.
The two organisations are expected to translate the commitments under the agreement into specific activities and measurable outcomes as the ANTICIPA project progresses.