President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday declared a national emergency on food security, with a strong call for the expansion of irrigation infrastructure and participatory water resource management across Nigeria.
The declaration came during the opening of the 6th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage, held in Abuja. Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said the conference theme—“Tackling Irrigation Development and Water Management Crisis in Africa”—serves as a wake-up call for the continent to adopt sustainable agricultural practices and build 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.
He highlighted that Nigeria has over 3.1 million hectares of irrigable land, primarily located around the Niger and Benue river basins, which remain underutilized in the face of growing food insecurity and climate threats.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, noted that the government had made considerable progress through the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project, which spanned more than seven years. The project delivered key achievements such as the completion of the Dadin-Kowa and Bakolori irrigation schemes, and 90% completion of the Middle Rima Valley project.
According to the minister, the government is set to launch a successor initiative, the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project, in partnership with the World Bank. SPIN will build on TRIMING’s progress and address remaining gaps in the country’s irrigation framework.
“The SPIN initiative is designed to consolidate the gains made and scale up Nigeria’s irrigation potential,” Utsev stated.
He also disclosed that River Basin Development Authorities had developed more than 153,000 hectares of irrigable land, and efforts are underway to partially commercialise these basins to attract private sector investment. The TRIMING project also supported the creation of Water Users Associations, farmer management centres, and strengthened market linkages for major value chains including rice and tomatoes.
Utsev also referenced the 2025 Flood Outlook and Risk Management Strategy, which aims to mitigate the devastating impact of floods on agriculture. He emphasized the importance of proactive planning, especially as climate change continues to shorten farming seasons and alter rainfall patterns.
Also speaking, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Didi Wilson-Jack, called for renewed commitment from all tiers of government in safeguarding Nigeria’s food systems. Echoing similar sentiments, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Godknows Igali, highlighted the urgent need for professional staffing and improved management of river basins, while urging sub-national governments to take water governance seriously.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, raised concerns about the shrinking farming season and erratic weather conditions, which he said have introduced growing uncertainty among rural farmers.
“Our fertile lands are turning to dust. Irrigation is now a necessity, not a luxury,” Zulum said, urging that innovation be accessible to all, especially women and youth, who make up the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce. He appealed to development partners for greater responsiveness to the challenges facing rural farmers and water access in Africa.
President of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, Dr Marco Arcieri, described the conference as timely and pivotal, especially as Africa faces the twin challenges of population growth and climate stress.
“This could be a turning point. We’ve celebrated big ideas and set tangible goals to confront the pressing challenges. We remain committed to supporting Africa through this transformation,” Arcieri said.
He had earlier addressed participants at the Young Professionals’ Forum, a pre-conference session dedicated to emerging leaders in irrigation and water management across the continent. Arcieri praised the role of youth in shaping sustainable solutions.
Mr Ibrahim Musa, Chair of the African Regional Working Group, expressed optimism that the conference would yield actionable outcomes and inspire innovative approaches to the region’s complex irrigation and water challenges.
The conference continues in Abuja until April 17, featuring technical sessions, policy dialogues, and field visits to key irrigation projects across Nigeria.
