FG Seek Sahel Development Compact, Stronger Diplomacy in Maiduguri

By Fatima Saka

Maiduguri, Borno State – Nigeria has renewed its push for deeper diplomatic, economic and security cooperation with countries of the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, proposing a comprehensive “Sahel Development Compact” to drive regional peace, stability and sustainable development.

The Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, disclosed this on Saturday at the opening of a two-day high-level retreat of Nigerian ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Enikanolaiye said the proposed framework would prioritise infrastructure, agriculture, trade, energy, climate resilience, education and humanitarian response, while shifting regional engagement from crisis management to long-term development.

“Our response must be collective, coordinated and forward-looking. No single country can address these challenges in isolation,” he said, stressing the need for renewed diplomatic engagement, including rebuilding ties with the Alliance of Sahelian States (Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger).

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the retreat as timely, noting that the Sahel region holds immense strategic importance for Nigeria due to shared history, cultural ties and economic interdependence.

He highlighted that challenges such as terrorism, violent extremism, transnational crime, climate change, irregular migration and food insecurity continue to threaten regional stability, but stressed that they also present opportunities for stronger collaboration.

According to him, the retreat will examine practical strategies for advancing the Sahel Development Compact, focusing on key areas including regional security cooperation, trade facilitation, infrastructure development, agriculture, climate resilience, humanitarian response, youth empowerment and diplomatic engagement.

“The deliberations here will deepen understanding among regional actors and generate practical policy recommendations capable of advancing collective peace, security and prosperity,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary also commended the choice of Maiduguri as host city, describing it as symbolic of resilience and recovery, having transformed from a conflict-affected area into a hub of renewed hope and regional engagement.

Earlier, Enikanolaiye emphasised that Nigeria’s relationship with Sahelian countries is rooted in centuries of shared history, culture, commerce and social ties, adding that developments in the region have direct implications for Nigeria’s national security and economic wellbeing.

He underscored the importance of economic cooperation, noting that stronger trade relations and industrial value addition, particularly in agriculture and food security, would help reduce conflict and promote stability.

The minister also called for urgent action to recharge Lake Chad, describing it as critical to livelihoods, environmental sustainability and regional security, and urged stakeholders to mobilise over $50 billion required for the project.

He further stressed the need to strengthen the Multinational Joint Task Force to tackle persistent security threats in the Lake Chad Basin.

Both speakers expressed optimism that the retreat would culminate in the adoption of a “Maiduguri Roadmap,” a strategic framework aimed at enhancing political dialogue, security cooperation, economic integration and humanitarian collaboration across the region.

The roadmap is also expected to institutionalise regular bilateral engagements, joint commissions and sectoral working groups to ensure effective implementation of resolutions.

The retreat brings together senior diplomats, regional organisations, security agencies, development partners and other stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for addressing shared challenges and unlocking opportunities for sustainable growth in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.