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FG declares National emergency on food security

Published

4 days ago

April 15, 2025

…as IWMI Launches water management strategy

Mariam Sanni

The growing food security crisis in Nigeria as made the president of the federal republic of Nigeria ,President Bola Tinubu to declared a national emergency on food security at the opening of the 6th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage in Abuja on Monday.

Tinubu who was , represented by Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, relayed that addressing the continent’s agriculture challenges required urgent action, particularly expanding irrigation infrastructure and adopting innovative water management strategies.

“Africa continues to face major challenges in unlocking its irrigation potential. This conference offers a vital platform for us to collectively chart a path forward,” Tinubu said, underscoring the need for collaborative efforts across African nations to overcome the hurdles of inadequate infrastructure, financial constraints, and climate change.

Also at the conference the international Water Management Institute as launched it’s 2024-2030 Strategy, which , seeks to address water and agriculture challenges head-on, offering solutions aligned with the food security goals set by the Nigerian government. Dr. Mark Smith, Director General of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), introduced the institute’s new strategy, which focuses on four primary areas: watershed restoration, improved irrigation systems, water reuse, and farmer-led irrigation.

These initiatives, he noted, are integral to ensuring food security and resilience against climate shocks, particularly as African nations grapple with rapidly changing climates.

“The IWMI Strategy outlines an ambitious agenda for research and innovation in water security. We are committed to practical, inclusive, and climate-smart solutions to enhance agricultural sustainability,” Dr. Smith remarked. His comments were part of a broader conversation about the need to restore watersheds and improve the management of water resources to optimize agricultural productivity.

As part part of of it’s contribution during the conference, Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, highlighted the achievements made under the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project.

The project, which has resulted in key infrastructure developments like the Dadin-Kowa and Bakolori irrigation schemes, has made notable progress in improving irrigation systems across Nigeria. Prof. Utsev also announced that the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project, which will be implemented in partnership with the World Bank, will further advance these efforts.

“With the TRIMING project winding down, Nigeria is poised to begin the SPIN project, which will build on our past successes and further expand Nigeria’s irrigation potential,” Prof. Utsev said, emphasizing the need for continued investment in sustainable water management solutions.

In her remarks Dr. Funke Cofie, IWMI’s Africa Director for Research Impact, said that IWMI strategy, which complements Nigeria’s domestic initiatives, also promotes water reuse and farmer-led irrigation practices. She shared examples of successful projects, such as in Ethiopia, where watershed restoration techniques have significantly improved soil quality and increased groundwater recharge.

These interventions, she noted, have enabled farmers to expand irrigable land and improve crop yields, which is critical for ensuring food security in drought-prone regions.
“We are focused on empowering farmers and restoring ecosystems to make agriculture more resilient to climate change,” Dr. Cofie explained. This initiative aligns directly with the Nigerian government’s goal to create a more sustainable agricultural sector.

Addressing the impact of climate change on agriculture, Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno State warned that unpredictable rainfall patterns and shrinking farming seasons were becoming major threats to food production. He called for more investment in irrigation and innovation, stressing that these measures should not be viewed as luxuries but essential tools for ensuring food security.

“Irrigation is now a necessity, not a luxury. Innovation must not be seen as a privilege of the few—we must empower women and youth who are at the frontline of agriculture,” Gov. Zulum emphasized.

Dr. Marco Arcieri, President of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), also weighed in on the need for strategic innovation in water management and agriculture.

He emphasized the importance of youth involvement in finding sustainable solutions to Africa’s water challenges, as young professionals will play a critical role in future-proofing agriculture against climate change.

“We’ve set tangible goals to confront Africa’s water challenges. This could be a turning point,” Dr. Arcieri stated, highlighting the growing urgency of addressing irrigation inefficiencies and water scarcity across the continent.

As the conference progresses until April 17, participants will engage in technical sessions, policy dialogues, and field visits to various irrigation sites across Nigeria, fostering a deeper understanding of best practices and innovations that can transform Africa’s agricultural sector.

The partnership between the Nigerian government and the IWMI exemplifies the continent’s collective commitment to improving agricultural resilience and water management. With this newfound momentum, Africa is poised to make significant strides in its fight against food insecurity, climate change, and unsustainable water use.

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Stronger Mission Synergy Key to Advancing Nigeria’s Technical Aid Policy – NTAC DG

Published

23 hours ago

April 18, 2025

The Gleamer

..Says Nigerian Missions Abroad are the Oxygen that Sustains the NTAC Mandate_
Joel Ajayi

Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps,Rt. Hon.Yusuf Buba Yakub, has reiterated the pivotal role Nigeria’s Missions abroad play in enhancing the implementation and global reach of the country’s Technical Aid Policy.

Buba,who made this assertion in Abuja, Thursday,while delivering a detailed presentation titled “Nigeria’s Technical Aid Policy: Role of Mission” to participants of the 26th Regular Course of the Foreign Service Academy at the Public Service Institute, described the Missions as the Oxygen that sustains the Technical Aid Corps mandate.

The DG, in his paper, outlined the framework and objectives of the Technical Aid Corps Scheme, designed as a strategic component of Nigeria’s foreign policy to strengthen South-South Cooperation, promote African and global solidarity, and project Nigeria’s image as a responsible global partner.

The former federal lawmaker noted that since its inception, the TAC Scheme has continued to deploy highly skilled Nigerian professionals—particularly in Education, Health, Agriculture, Engineering, and Legal Services—to requesting African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries on the basis of the assessed needs and request of those countries.

Buba emphasized that the success and sustainability of the Technical Aid Scheme to the ACP countries largely depend on the active involvement of Nigeria’s Diplomatic Missions. He stressed that Missions serve as the first point of contact with host countries, playing critical roles in identifying areas of need, liaising with partner governments, monitoring volunteers’ welfare, and ensuring alignment with national foreign policy objectives.

“Without the Missions we cannot breathe.They initiate all the meetings we have in host countries and are part of them all.They follow up on decisions taken in those meetings and ensure that we keep a two-way track on developments between NTAC and the countries.

“In fact,the Head of Chancery at the Mission and the Financial Attache are the only signatories to the NTAC Account in every recipient country we have TAC Volunteers,”Buba emphasized.

Aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as expressed in his 4-D Foreign Policy Thrust—Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora—the DG reaffirmed that the Technical Aid Corps Scheme serves as a vital instrument of development diplomacy, saying it fosters not only people-to-people connections but also strengthens institutional capacity in partner nations while enhancing Nigeria’s standing in the international community.

As a former Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs and that of Nigeria/China Relations in his two tenures in Parliament,Buba also highlighted several practical experiences that demonstrated the greater role soft power and cultural diplomacy play in today’s global community,averring that ,in the words of Ken Blanchard,the famous American cerebral author,”the key to successful leadership(today) is influence,not authority”.

To drive home the above,the DG also shared the remarkable story of a TAC Volunteer, Mr.Lukman Omotayo Alao,deployed to Jamaica, who introduced the traditional Yoruba textile known as “Adire” to the country. The Volunteer’s creativity and expertise captivated the Jamaican authorities to the extent that they coined a new name—Jadire—to reflect their admiration and local connection to the fabric.

“The authorities of the host country was so impressed, they simply renamed it “Jadire”,to reflect the “J” in the name “Jamaica” and went on to build a full-fledged industry for the textile product headed by Mr.Omotayo.This has spread the use and patronage of (J)adire today to as far as the United States, besides other Caribbean nations.That is the power of what Technical Aid diplomacy or soft power achi,” the DG remarked, illustrating how Nigerian values and culture are positively shaping narratives abroad.

He encouraged the foreign service trainees to embrace their future diplomatic roles with a clear understanding of the broader developmental impact of the nation’s technical aid policy,which he described as purely altruistic. “As a Big-brother African country and emerging giant across the globe,our Missions must not only pursue traditional diplomacy but must also champion technical partnerships as part of our national interest abroad,” Buba stated.

While conveying his gratitude to the NTAC DG for his quick response to the invitation to share his rich experience, expertise and personal perspectives on the topic of the day,Director of the Foreign Service Academy,Amb.Chimezie Ogu lauded Buba’s passion, competence and the energy with which he drives the NTAC mandate and other activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for many years now.

He commended the DG’s visionary reforms at NTAC and the synergistic co-operation his appointment as DG has engendered between NTAC and other MDAs of Government in the last two years.The Director’s gratitude was also corroborated by Mr.Stanley Emmanuel,one of the participants in the Course 26 of the Academy,who gave a vote of thanks on behalf of his colleagues.

The presentation concluded with an engaging interactive session, allowing participants to ask questions and explore practical dimensions of Nigeria’s Technical Aid Policy and the roles being played by our Missions abroad in its implementation.

The session underscored the need for enhanced synergy between NTAC, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the nation’s Missions in advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy goals through meaningful efforts that are committed to service-driven diplomacy.

The NTAC DG was accompanied to the programme by the Agency’s Director of Programmes,Amb.Zakari Usman,a Fellow of the Defense College,who also made contributions to the discourse of the day.

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