By Abdullahi Lukman
Nigeria has urged its sister West Africa and Sahel countries to increase investments in water resources and agriculture to unlock the region’s economic potential and strengthen food security, peace, and stability.
The call was made at the closing of the National and Sub-Regional Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), held from September 16 to 18, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, described agriculture and water sectors as critical for sustainable development in the Sahel.
In a statement issued by Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, on 18 September 2025, the Minister highlighted the impact of climate change and water scarcity in the region, pointing to the shrinkage of Lake Chad as a symbol of the region’s environmental and humanitarian challenges.
Utsev warned that this has displaced millions, destroyed ecosystems, and intensified poverty and insecurity.
He underscored that irrigation investments go beyond agriculture, contributing to peace, resilience, and human dignity.
The minister also emphasized Nigeria’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which focuses on utilizing water for irrigation, expanding climate-smart farming, empowering Water Users Associations, and building agricultural value chains.
Nigeria is currently rehabilitating and expanding irrigation schemes such as Zobe, Makurdi, Kangimi, Irawo, Donga-Suntai, and Lower Anambra.
These efforts are coupled with strategies to link farming with processing, storage, and markets.
Prof. Utsev invited investors to take advantage of the over 10 million hectares of arable land available in Nigeria and the Sahel, supported by a growing youthful population and a unified African market under the AfCFTA.
Throughout the forum, stakeholders discussed ways to improve the investment climate for irrigation, agro-processing, and trade.
Sessions also focused on potential investments in fisheries, aquaculture, livestock, and staple crops like tomatoes, cassava, and maize.
The forum brought together representatives from over 20 countries, including Italy, Ghana, Senegal, Mali, Algeria, and others, and is expected to result in actionable strategies and bankable projects to scale up regional investments in agriculture and water.
