By Abdullahi Lukman
The Federal Government and the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) have called for the accelerated implementation of development projects across the Niger Basin to improve the livelihoods of more than 200 million people in the region.
The call was made at the end of a series of regional meetings held in Abuja from September 28 to October 9, 2026, involving representatives of the nine NBA member countries, development partners and other stakeholders.
The NBA Executive Secretary, Kocou Armand Houanye, made the appeal at a press conference on Friday, urging member countries to fast-track ongoing projects, complete water infrastructure and strengthen financing mechanisms to ensure sustainable development.
Houanye said the Programme for Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Niger Basin (PIDACC/NB) had entered a critical phase, requiring countries to complete outstanding infrastructure projects, release counterpart funds and expedite the processing of project requests.
He also urged the countries concerned to sign the Framework Agreement on the Common Basket Fund by November 15, 2026, and complete the necessary documentation to access available Global Environment Facility (GEF) resources from November.
According to him, the programme’s physical implementation rate increased from 37 per cent at the end of June 2025 to nearly 50 per cent by the end of June 2026, while its commitment rate rose from 49 per cent to almost 60 per cent within the same period.
He attributed the progress to institutional reforms and improved programme management, stressing that the 2027 work plans should focus on accelerating project delivery, maintaining infrastructure and consolidating achievements before the programme’s closure.
The NBA chief also called for increased investment in climate change adaptation, water security and transboundary infrastructure, alongside greater participation of women and young people in development initiatives.
He noted that more than 80 per cent of jobs in the region were linked to water resources, stressing the need to create economic opportunities for young people and strengthen their resilience to environmental and economic challenges.
Houanye further disclosed that the authority had adopted its Strategic Plan and Operational Plan for 2026–2030 and introduced revised administrative, financial and procurement procedures to improve
institutional efficiency.
He said efforts were also underway to modernise the NBA’s water and environmental information systems and operationalise the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Fund for the Niger Basin in early 2027 to support sustainable financing.
The executive secretary reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with the African Development Bank Group, the European Union, the World Bank Group, climate finance institutions, the private sector and research organisations, as well as deepening cooperation with the Lake Chad Basin Commission.
Earlier, Umezulike Robert A., representing the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, commended the NBA leadership, member countries and development partners for their contributions to the meetings.
Umezulike, who represented Nigeria’s National Focal Structure of the NBA and focal point for the Lake Chad Basin Commission, said the ten-day engagements provided an opportunity to identify implementation challenges, exchange experiences and develop practical solutions to improve project delivery across member countries.
He urged participants to apply the recommendations from the meetings, noting that sustained regional cooperation, effective project implementation and proper maintenance of completed infrastructure were essential to achieving the basin’s development objectives.
The meetings focused on hydrodiplomacy, gender inclusion, water security, climate adaptation, infrastructure development and programme implementation, with participants reaffirming their commitment to sustainable development, peace and prosperity across the Niger Basin.
