Nigeria President, Bola Tinubu on Monday declared a national emergency on food security, urging expanded irrigation infrastructure and participatory water resource management nationwide.
He made the declaration at the opening of the 6th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage at the Yar’dua Centre Abuja, where the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) also introduced its 2024-2030 strategy to drive innovation in water management and agricultural practices in Nigeria.
The president who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, urged African nations to adopt innovative strategies in addressing the continent’s irrigation and water management challenges.
He described the conference theme, “Tackling Irrigation Development and Water Management Crisis in Africa”, as a clarion call to action for sustainable agriculture and economic resilience.
“Africa continues to face major challenges in unlocking its irrigation potential due to inadequate infrastructure, financial constraints, climate change, and governance issues.
“This conference offers a vital platform for us to collectively chart a path forward”.
Tinubu stated that Nigeria has more than 3.1 million hectares of irrigable land located around key river basins such as the Niger and Benue.
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) Director General, Dr Mark Smith, while introducing 2024-2030 strategy to drive innovation in water management and agricultural practices in Nigeria, presented practical science-based solutions to Africa’s pressing water challenges.
“The IWMI Strategy 2024-2030 outlines an ambitious agenda for research and innovation in water security.
“It tackles current and future water management challenges, aiming to advance Sustainable Development Goal 6 on water and sanitation.
“The strategy aligns with national and regional priorities and is backed by an action plan to boost partnerships, growth, and impact,” he said.
Smith noted that while Africa’s water challenges are vast, so too are the opportunities.
He emphasised the importance of focusing on practical, inclusive, and climate-smart solutions.
“At IWMI, we are working to restore watersheds, modernise irrigation, promote water reuse, and empower farmers with tools that enhance productivity and resilience,” he said.
Smith outlined four strategic pathways for agricultural transformation that align with the African Union’s vision: watershed restoration, improved irrigation system performance, water reuse, and farmer-led irrigation.
He listed examples of IWMI’s work, such as in Ethiopia’s Yeboa Watershed, where interventions like terracing and contour farming have greatly reduced soil erosion and improved groundwater recharge.
These efforts, he said, have expanded irrigable land fivefold, creating new agricultural and economic opportunities, particularly for young people.
“In Mali, IWMI collaborated with the Office du Niger to co-develop performance indicators for irrigation schemes.
“This data-driven approach has enabled targeted investments and smarter water management, leading to improved efficiency and increased yields.
“IWMI is also promoting the safe reuse of wastewater for agriculture, which reduces pressure on freshwater sources, improves soil fertility, and recovers valuable nutrients.
“Our work in promoting water reuse is not just about alleviating the strain on freshwater systems, but also enhancing agricultural sustainability and supporting a circular economy,” Smith noted.
In his remarks, the Nigeria Minister for Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said that the government had completed several landmark initiatives under the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project.
He announced that its successor, the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project, would address outstanding gaps while optimising the economic value of water resources to support food security. “With the TRIMING project winding down, Nigeria is poised to begin implementation of the SPIN project in partnership with the World Bank.
“This initiative will consolidate on the successes of TRIMING and expand our irrigation potential,” Utsev said.
According to the minister, the TRIMING project, which spanned more than seven years, delivered notable achievements, including the completion of the Dadin-Kowa and Bakolori irrigation schemes and 90 per cent completion of the Middle Rima Valley irrigation project.
It also supported ongoing interventions in Ondo, Kwara, Benue, Kebbi, Edo, Adamawa, and Oyo States. He also noted that the project established Water Users Associations (WUAs), farmer management centres, and supported market linkages for key value chains such as rice and tomato.
The minister further revealed that River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) had developed more than 153,000 hectares of irrigable land and were being partially commercialised to attract private sector investment.
He also referenced the 2025 Flood Outlook and Risk Management Strategy, aimed at minimising flood-related impacts on agriculture.
“This conference is a platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and collective commitment to resolving Africa’s pressing irrigation and water management issues,” he added.
Dr Funke Cofie, IWMI’s Africa Director for Research Impact, emphasised the institute’s broader commitment to sustainability and resilience.
“We generate knowledge and evidence-based solutions to improve water use, ranging from rain-fed systems to full irrigation.
“Our work focuses on environmental sustainability, climate adaptation, and preparing communities to manage risks like flooding”.
