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Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister, Festus Keyamo on Tuesday, unveiled the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), calling on Stakeholders’ support for climate science, particularly in the dissemination and application of SCP.
Making g the public presentation in Abuja, Keyamo noted that in recent years, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has received testimonies and commendations on how the use of SCP information has contributed to improved crop yield and helped in disaster risk mitigation and reduction, expressing joy that the early warnings of NiMet through such products and services is having positive impacts on the socioeconomic development of Nigeria.
Outlining the highlights of the 2026 SCP, noted that three has been some significant rains across the southern parts of the country this year but reiterated that these should not be taken to mean that the rainy season has started in these places.
“Those engaged in rainfed agriculture and other rainfall-dependent activities in Nigeria are therefore advised to refer to the predicted onset dates in this publication or consult NiMet for proper guidance.”, he said.
The SCP according to Keyamo, shows that early onset is expected in Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Oyo, and parts of Kebbi, Niger, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Adamawa, and Taraba States. While a late onset is expected over Borno State.
Rainfall cessation is anticipated to be earlier than normal in parts of Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Imo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Kogi and Niger States.
However, a delayed end of season is expected in Lagos, Ogun, Anambra, Enugu, Cross River, Benue, Nasarawa and Kaduna States.
The document also revealed that a longer-than-normal length of rainy season is expected in Lagos, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Ogun, Oyo, Nasarawa, Anambra, Kwara, Kebbi, Kaduna, Gombe and Taraba States, whereas, parts of Borno, Yobe and Niger States are expected to have a shorter-than-normal length of rainy season.
A normal annual rainfall amount is also anticipated in most parts of Nigeria compared to the long-term average. Above-normal rainfall is expected in Borno, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Enugu, Cross River, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom States, and the Federal Capital Territory; while in parts of Katsina, Zamfara, Kwara, Oyo, and Ogun States, below-normal rainfall is expected.
“During the season of March to May, severe dry spells exceeding 15 days are likely in parts of Oyo and Ogun States, while moderate dry spells are expected over Ekiti, Kogi, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Ebonyi, Abia, Cross River, and Delta states, as well as parts of Kogi and Kwara states. Furthermore, during the June-July-August season, a severe dry spell that may last up to 21 days is predicted for parts of Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara states.
” The Little Dry Season (LDS), also known as ‘August Break,’ is predicted to begin by late July and would be severe and prolonged over Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti and parts of Oyo States. The number of days with little or no rainfall will range between 28 and 40 days. A moderate LDS effect is expected over Ondo, parts of Kwara and Edo States.
” Both daytime and nighttime temperatures are predicted to be warmer than the long-term average over most parts of the country in January, February, March, and May 2026.”, he added.
The Minister added that details of the prediction and the socioeconomic implications for various sectors of the national economy are contained in the document and should be visited when necessary for proper planning.
He noted that the SCP is built on global best practices of meteorology and climate science, combining weather with long‑term climatological data and climatic drivers
“I want to emphasise that climate science is fundamental to sustainable development. Any developmental effort that is not informed by credible weather and climate knowledge is vulnerable, costly, and ultimately unsustainable. Nigeria must be at the forefront of building and adopting systems that can survive and thrive in future climate scenarios.
“The document that we are unveiling today reflects Nigeria’s growing commitment to science-based planning, foresight, and resilience. It underscores the need to continually strengthen our homegrown scientific expertise, invest in human capacity, and ensure that climate information effectively supports decision-making at Federal, States and Local Government levels.
“I would like to call on all stakeholders, federal government MDAs, state governments, academia, the private sector, development partners, and the media, to lend sustained support to climate science, particularly in the dissemination and application of this SCP document.”, Keyamo noted.
He however pledged government resolve to continue empower the Nigerian Meteorological Agency to serve as a centre of excellence in weather and climate services, and a trusted provider of scientific guidance for national development.
Director General, NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike at the event said l NiMet has continued to provide authoritative and science-based knowledge, a critical factor to informed planning and decision-making in Nigeria’s rapidly changing climate, adding that as climate variability and extreme weather events increasingly threaten lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, food security, and economic growth, timely and reliable weather and climate information have become indispensable for building safer and more climate-resilient communities across the country.
“Meteorological science is one of the most innovative fields in the world, with new technologies emerging every day. In recognition of this, the Management of NiMet has become proactive in adopting, domesticating, and applying these technologies in our operations.
” We have recently setup a team of experts, charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the Agency is at the forefront of integrating and operationalising Artificial Intelligence in our forecasting responsibilities.”, he said.
Anosike called on government agencies to cooperation with it in the area of downscaling of the SCP information.
“We have developed partnerships with governments and non-governmental organisations, who have been critical in downscaling the SCP document to local farmers in various states. We are working assiduously to fast-track the deployment of digital advisory services in partnership with local and international collaborators. However, there is still much ground to be covered. I, therefore, want to use this opportunity to call for increased partnerships with the Agency, particularly from state governments. We want to be able to downscale the 2026 SCP information to more states than we did in previous years.
“Nigerian Meteorological Agency remains committed to providing timely, accurate and reliable weather and climate information to ensure that we build a climate resilient economy.”, he added.
