By Abdullahi Lukman
Nigeria’s food security drive has achieved a significant milestone with the completion of major irrigation schemes at Dadin-Kowa and Bakolori dams in Gombe and Zamfara states respectively.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, speaking during the opening of the 6th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage in Abuja, said the projects were executed under the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project.
He also shared plans for the next phase of irrigation development in the country, with the upcoming Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project, a collaboration with the World Bank aimed at addressing gaps identified during the TRIMING initiative.
“Following the success of TRIMING, we are now set to build on these achievements with the SPIN project, which will further optimize water use and strengthen our food security efforts,” Utsev stated.
“The goal is to enhance the socio-economic value of stored water to support sustainable agriculture and improve Nigeria’s resilience to climate change.”
Utsev also announcrd the completion of other initiatives under TRIMING, such as the establishment of Water Users Associations, the development of over 153,000 hectares of irrigable land by the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs), and ongoing irrigation projects across several Nigerian states, including Ondo, Benue, and Adamawa.
The theme of this year’s event: ‘Tackling Irrigation Development and Water Management Crisis in Africa,’ underscored the urgent need for innovative solutions to address Africa’s growing food security challenges.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to improving its irrigation infrastructure, noting that the country has over 3.1 million hectares of irrigable land, particularly in the Niger and Benue river basins.
He stressed that under his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, food security remains a priority.
“Africa faces significant hurdles in utilizing its irrigation potential due to poor infrastructure, financial constraints, and climate change,” Tinubu said, calling for collaborative efforts to overcome these challenges.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State warned of the increasing challenges farmers face due to climate change, describing irrigation as essential for Nigeria’s agricultural future.
“Our land is turning to dust, and innovation in irrigation is no longer a luxury but a necessity,” Zulum said.
Other notable speakers at the conference included Dr. Marco Arcieri, President of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), who commended the gathering as a crucial platform for developing solutions to Africa’s irrigation crisis.
He also stressed the need for strong governance frameworks and disaster preparedness to build resilient food systems.
The conference continues through April 17, with technical sessions, policy dialogues, and site visits across Nigeria’s irrigation zones.
As discussions progress, participants aim to develop innovative strategies to enhance irrigation practices and secure sustainable agriculture across the continent.