By Abbas Nazil
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on African nations to embrace innovative strategies for irrigation and water management to effectively address the continent’s deepening food insecurity.
He was speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at the opening of the 6th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage in Abuja.
Tinubu underscored the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices to boost economic resilience and secure the future of food supply across Africa.
The president described the conference’s theme: ‘Tackling Irrigation Development and Water Management Crisis in Africa,’ as a call to action, highlighting the pressing challenges that still hinder irrigation development across the continent.
These include inadequate infrastructure, limited financial resources, the effects of climate change, and governance-related issues.
He emphasized the importance of the conference as a platform for African nations to collaborate and chart a progressive path forward.
Citing Nigeria’s agricultural potential, Tinubu revealed that the country possesses over 3.1 million hectares of irrigable land, particularly around major river basins such as the Niger and Benue.
He said under his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, a National Emergency on Food Security has been declared, with a key focus on expanding irrigation infrastructure and promoting participatory water resource management.