President Bola Tinubu on Monday declared a national emergency on food security, encouraging greater irrigation infrastructure and participatory water resource management countrywide.
Tinubu who was represented by George Akume, the Federation’s Secretary to the Government made the announcement when opening the 6th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage in Abuja.
He called on African countries to use creative approaches to solving the continent’s problems with water management and irrigation.
According to him, the conference’s topic, “Tackling Irrigation Development and Water Management Crisis in Africa,” is a strong call to action for resilient economies and sustainable agriculture.
“Africa continues to face major challenges in unlocking its irrigation potential due to inadequate infrastructure, financial constraints, climate change, and governance issues.
“This conference offers a vital platform for us to collectively chart a path forward,” he said.
Tinubu noted that the country possessed more than 3.1 million hectares of irrigable land centered around significant river basins such as the Niger and Benue.
In his remarks, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said the government had accomplished numerous historic achievements under the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria project.
He declared that the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria initiative, which would replace it, would fill in the gaps and maximize the water resources’ economic worth to promote 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,” he said.
In addition, the minister disclosed that River Basin Development Authorities had developed over 153,000 hectares of irrigable land and were partially commercializing them to attract private sector investment.
He also mentioned the 2025 Flood Outlook and Risk Management Strategy, which aims to minimize flood-related impacts on agriculture. The project also established Water Users Associations, farmer management centers, and supported market linkages for key value chains like rice and tomato.
Dr. Didi Wilson-Jack, the head of the Federation’s civil service, called for a renewed commitment at all levels of government. Mr. Godknows Igali, the former permanent secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, emphasized the need for strategic planning, especially given Nigeria’s expanding population, the significance of professional staffing, and the need for proper management of river basins.
He also added that sub-national governments must be actively involved in water governance and food systems.
Concerned about the shortened farming seasons brought on by climate change, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum cautioned that farmers were becoming confused due to erratic rainfall patterns.
“Our fertile lands are turning to dust. Irrigation is now a necessity, not a luxury.
“Innovation must not be seen as a privilege of the few; we must empower women and youth who are at the frontline of agriculture,” Zulum said
He urged development partners to be more sensitive to Africa’s problems with rural farming and water access.
Dr. Marco Arcieri, president of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, said the conference was both necessary and relevant.
The African Regional Working Group’s leader, Mr. Ibrahim Musa, expressed hope that the conference would produce creative solutions and practical results for tackling Africa’s particular irrigation development requirements.
Technical workshops, policy discussions, and field trips to irrigation sites throughout Nigeria are all part of the conference, which is scheduled to run in Abuja until April 17.
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