By Faridat Salifu
The Federal Government has approved ₦1.5 billion for the construction of a new earth dam in Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State, aimed at expanding water access and unlocking economic opportunities for young people.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, made the announcement on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, during an inspection tour of the proposed project site in Bela community, saying the dam, expected to be completed within 36 months, is to support both agricultural production and domestic water supply.
Utsev described the project as part of a broader strategy to use water resources to stimulate livelihoods in states with large youth populations and strong agricultural traditions.
“Kano already has significant water assets. What we are doing is strengthening their capacity to support productive activities such as irrigation, farming and other value chains that can engage young people meaningfully,” he said.
Kano currently hosts at least 22 dams, many of which already support dry‑season irrigation, but experts say much of their economic potential remains untapped.
With improved planning and youth‑focused interventions, these water bodies could enable year‑round cultivation of rice, vegetables and other high‑value crops, reducing dependence on rain‑fed farming.
Inland fishing also presents a major opportunity, with several dams able to sustain fisheries and create jobs for fishers, processors, transporters and traders.
Specialists say that with cold storage facilities and better market access, young entrepreneurs could build profitable enterprises while strengthening local food supply.
Rabiu Bichi, Managing Director of the Hadejia‑Jam’are River Basin Development Authority, which will oversee the project, stressed that dams should be integrated into broader agricultural and economic plans. “Dams should not just be built and abandoned. They must be linked to farming systems, skills development and agribusiness opportunities, especially for young people,” he said.
Experts argue that Kano is well positioned to become a regional hub for irrigated agriculture and inland fishing, provided there is a deliberate, youth‑centred strategy that connects water infrastructure to training, credit and markets.
Utsev also visited Jigawa State during the inspection tour to review similar water projects, reflecting the Federal Government’s wider push to leverage water infrastructure to drive food security, job creation and economic resilience across northern Nigeria.
Construction of the Bichi earth dam is expected to transform Kano’s water resources into tools for tackling youth unemployment and strengthening the state’s agricultural economy in the years ahead.
