President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of national emergency on food security, calling on African nations to embrace innovative approaches to tackle the continent’s pressing irrigation and water resource management challenges.
The announcement was delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the inauguration of the 6th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage held in Abuja on Monday.
In his message, President Tinubu underscored the importance of effective water and irrigation systems in ensuring agricultural sustainability and economic stability across the continent. He stressed that inadequate infrastructure, limited funding, climate change impacts, and weak governance structures continue to hinder Africa from fully unlocking its vast irrigation potential.
“The theme of this conference, ‘Tackling Irrigation Development and Water Management Crisis in Africa,’ is more than timely, it is a rallying cry for collective action,” Tinubu noted. “Africa must unite in its resolve to modernize water and irrigation systems to secure its agricultural future.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s capabilities, Tinubu pointed out that the country possesses over 3.1 million hectares of irrigable land, much of which lies near major water bodies such as the Niger and Benue rivers. He emphasized the necessity of expanding irrigation networks and promoting inclusive water governance to strengthen food production and enhance national food security.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, also addressed the gathering, showcasing Nigeria’s strides in irrigation development. He highlighted the achievements of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project, which spanned more than seven years.
“The TRIMING project successfully revitalized critical irrigation systems like the Dadin-Kowa and Bakolori schemes and brought the Middle Rima Valley irrigation project close to completion,” Utsev explained. He also noted that the project fostered the establishment of Water Users Associations (WUAs), improved market access for agricultural products such as rice and tomatoes, and attracted private sector participation through the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs).
Building on TRIMING’s foundation, Utsev announced the launch of a new initiative — the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project. This program aims to fill the remaining infrastructure and policy gaps, further maximizing the utility of Nigeria’s water resources for agricultural and economic growth.
In addressing the broader environmental risks to agriculture, Utsev also referenced the forthcoming 2025 Flood Outlook and Risk Management Strategy. This plan is designed to mitigate the adverse effects of flooding on farmlands and rural livelihoods.
Meanwhile, Didi Wilson-Jack, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, called on all tiers of government to reaffirm their commitment to achieving food security nationwide. She stressed the need for strong institutional collaboration and long-term policy implementation.
Adding his voice, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, Dr. Godknows Igali, emphasized the urgency of strategic planning in water management, especially in light of Nigeria’s rapidly growing population. He advocated for more efficient use and conservation of river basin resources to support future agricultural needs.
The conference brought together policymakers, agricultural experts, engineers, and development partners from across Africa, all united by a common goal: to reshape the future of irrigation and water management for a more food-secure continent.
