President Bola Tinubu has declared a national emergency on food security, advocating for the expansion of irrigation infrastructure and collaborative water resource management throughout Nigeria.
Tinubu made this announcement while inaugurating the 6th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage in Abuja, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
He urged African nations to adopt innovative strategies to tackle the continent’s irrigation and water management challenges.
He described the conference theme, “Tackling Irrigation Development and Water Management Crisis in Africa,” as a call to action for sustainable agriculture and economic resilience.
“Africa continues to face major challenges in unlocking its irrigation potential due to inadequate infrastructure, financial constraints, climate change, and governance issues,” he said.
“This conference offers a vital platform for us to collectively chart a path forward.”
Tinubu highlighted that Nigeria has over 3.1 million hectares of irrigable land situated around major river basins like the Niger and Benue.
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Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, stated that the government has completed several significant initiatives under the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project.
He announced that its successor, the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project, will address remaining gaps while maximizing the economic value of water resources to bolster food security.
“With the TRIMING project winding down, Nigeria is poised to begin implementation of the SPIN project in partnership with the World Bank. This initiative will consolidate on the successes of TRIMING and expand our irrigation potential,” Utsev said.
The minister detailed that the TRIMING project, which spanned over seven years, achieved notable milestones, including the completion of the Dadin-Kowa and Bakolori irrigation schemes and the near-completion of the Middle Rima Valley irrigation project.
It also supported ongoing interventions in Ondo, Kwara, Benue, Kebbi, Edo, Adamawa, and Oyo states.
He noted that the project established Water Users Associations, farmer management centers, and facilitated market linkages for key value chains like rice and tomato.
The minister further revealed that River Basin Development Authorities had developed over 153,000 hectares of irrigable land and were being partially commercialized to attract private sector investment.
He also referenced the 2025 Flood Outlook and Risk Management Strategy, aimed at mitigating flood-related impacts on agriculture.
“This conference is a platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and collective commitment to resolving Africa’s pressing irrigation and water management issues,” he added.
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Didi Wilson-Jack, called for renewed commitment across all government levels to ensure national food security.
Former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, Mr. Godknows Igali, emphasized the urgency of strategic planning, especially in light of Nigeria’s growing population.
He stressed the importance of professional staffing and proper management of river basins, adding that sub-national governments must actively participate in water governance and food systems.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State raised concerns about the shortening farming seasons due to climate change, warning that unpredictable rainfall patterns are creating uncertainty among farmers.
“Our fertile lands are turning to dust. Irrigation is now a necessity, not a luxury,” Zulum said. “Innovation must not be seen as a privilege of the few; we must empower women and youth who are at the frontline of agriculture.”
He appealed to development partners to be more responsive to the challenges of water access and rural farming in Africa.
President of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, Dr. Marco Arcieri, deemed the conference timely and essential.
“This could be a turning point. We’ve celebrated big ideas and set tangible goals to confront the pressing challenges. We remain committed to supporting Africa as it faces population growth and climate stress,” Arcieri stated.
He had previously addressed participants at the Young Professionals’ Forum, a pre-conference event for emerging leaders in irrigation and water management across Africa, emphasizing their role in driving sustainable solutions.
Mr. Ibrahim Musa, who leads the African Regional Working Group, expressed optimism that the conference would yield innovative approaches and actionable outcomes for Africa’s irrigation development needs.
The conference continues in Abuja until April 17, featuring technical sessions, policy dialogues, and field visits to irrigation sites in Nigeria.
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