KEY POINTS

• Tinubu declared a national emergency on food security in Nigeria.

• The government aims to improve irrigation infrastructure for food security.

• Borno State Governor stressed the need for irrigation to tackle climate change.

President Bola Tinubu declared a national emergency on food security on Monday. He urged expanded irrigation infrastructure and better water management nationwide.

Tinubu made the declaration during the 6th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage in Abuja. The president was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

Tinubu called for African nations to adopt innovative strategies to address irrigation and water management challenges.

He described the conference theme as a call for sustainable agriculture and economic resilience. “Africa continues to face challenges in unlocking irrigation potential,” he said.

Nigeria’s irrigation potential and government projects

Tinubu highlighted that Nigeria has more than 3.1 million hectares of irrigable land. These lands are located around key river basins such as the Niger and Benue.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Prof. Joseph Utsev spoke about landmark initiatives under the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria project. He announced the successor project, Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria, to address gaps and optimise water resources.

According to Punch, Utsev said the TRIMING project supported irrigation schemes in several states, including Ondo, Kwara, Benue, Kebbi, Edo, Adamawa, and Oyo.

The project established Water Users Associations, farmer management centres, and supported value chains such as rice and tomato.

Calls for more involvement and innovation in agriculture

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno State raised concerns about climate change’s effect on farming seasons. He emphasised that irrigation has become a necessity. Zulum called for innovation in agriculture and empowerment for women and youth.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Didi Wilson-Jack, stressed the need for renewed government commitment. Dr. Marco Arcieri, President of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, described the conference as timely.