President Tinubu has declared a national emergency on food security, urging expanded irrigation and participatory water management at the African Regional Conference in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has declared a national emergency on food security in Nigeria, emphasizing the urgent need for expanded irrigation infrastructure and participatory water resource management across the nation.
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Tinubu made this significant declaration on Monday while inaugurating the 6th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage held in Abuja. He was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
The President urged African nations to embrace innovative strategies to effectively tackle the continent’s pressing irrigation and water management challenges.
He described the conference’s theme, “Tackling Irrigation Development and Water Management Crisis in Africa”, as a crucial call to action for the achievement of sustainable agriculture and robust economic resilience throughout the continent.
“Africa continues to face major challenges in unlocking its irrigation potential due to inadequate infrastructure, financial constraints, climate change, and governance issues,” President Tinubu stated. “This conference offers a vital platform for us to collectively chart a path forward.”
Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s significant potential, noting that the country possesses over 3.1 million hectares of irrigable land strategically located around key river basins such as the Niger and Benue.
In his address, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, outlined the government’s progress in the sector, announcing the completion of several key initiatives under the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project.
He also revealed the upcoming implementation of its successor, the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project, which aims to address remaining gaps and optimise the economic value of water resources to bolster national food security.
“With the TRIMING project winding down, Nigeria is poised to begin implementation of the SPIN project in partnership with the World Bank,” Prof Utsev announced. “This initiative will consolidate on the successes of TRIMING and expand our irrigation potential.”
The Minister explained that the TRIMING project, spanning over seven years, had yielded significant achievements, including the completion of the Dadin-Kowa and Bakolori irrigation schemes and the near-completion (90 per cent) of the Middle Rima Valley irrigation project. It also supported ongoing interventions in Ondo, Kwara, Benue, Kebbi, Edo, Adamawa, and Oyo states.
Furthermore, the project facilitated the establishment of Water Users Associations and farmer management centres, and supported crucial market linkages for key agricultural value chains, such as rice and tomato production.
Prof Utsev also revealed that River Basin Development Authorities had developed over 153,000 hectares of irrigable land and were undergoing partial commercialisation to attract vital private sector investment.
He also referenced the 2025 Flood Outlook and Risk Management Strategy, designed to minimise the detrimental impacts of flooding on the agricultural sector.
“This conference is a platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and collective commitment to resolving Africa’s pressing irrigation and water management issues,” the Minister added.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Didi Wilson-Jack, called for a renewed commitment across all levels of government to ensure national food security.
Former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Godknows Igali, underscored the urgency of strategic planning, particularly in light of Nigeria’s rapidly growing population.
He stressed the importance of professional staffing and effective management of river basins, adding that sub-national governments must play a proactive role in water governance and food systems.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State raised concerns about the shrinking farming seasons due to the impacts of climate change, warning that increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns were creating significant uncertainty among farmers.
“Our fertile lands are turning to dust. Irrigation is now a necessity, not a luxury,” Governor Zulum stated. “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 demonstrate greater responsiveness to the challenges of water access and rural farming across Africa.
The President of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, Dr Marco Arcieri, described the conference as both timely and essential.
“This could be a turning point. We’ve celebrated big ideas and set tangible goals to confront the pressing challenges,” Dr Arcieri stated. “We remain committed to supporting Africa as it faces population growth and climate stress.”
He had earlier addressed participants at the Young Professionals’ Forum, a pre-conference event focused on emerging leaders in irrigation and water management across Africa, emphasising their crucial role in driving sustainable solutions.
Mr Ibrahim Musa, who leads the African Regional Working Group, expressed optimism that the conference would lead to innovative approaches and actionable outcomes in addressing Africa’s unique irrigation development needs.
The conference is scheduled to continue in Abuja until April 17, featuring technical sessions, policy dialogues, and field visits to various irrigation sites across Nigeria.
