The Nigerian’s government and Chad have intensified bilateral cooperation with a renewed focus on water security, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received an official invitation to the forthcoming Africa Water Summit.
The invitation was delivered on Monday in Abuja by Chad’s Special Envoy, Mr. Tahir Hammid Nguilin, who also serves as the country’s Minister of Finance, Budget, Economy, Planning and International Cooperation. He conveyed a message from President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno during a meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
At the centre of the engagement is the Africa Water Summit, which will formally launch the “Water Forward Initiative” — a continent-wide programme being implemented in partnership with the World Bank and other development agencies. The initiative aims to mobilise sustainable financing for water resources, irrigation, sanitation, agriculture, and livestock development across Africa.
Nguilin emphasised that the summit seeks to elevate water security as a strategic priority for the continent, noting that participating countries are expected to sign partnership agreements with development partners. He added that African leaders will adopt a declaration positioning water security at the core of sustainable development efforts.
He highlighted Nigeria’s pivotal role in the initiative, stressing that President Tinubu’s participation would significantly strengthen continental collaboration in addressing Africa’s growing water challenges.
Responding on behalf of the President, Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed appreciation for the invitation and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation. She noted that the summit comes at a critical time, given the increasing link between water security, food production, climate resilience, and regional stability.
The minister also referenced ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and Chad in addressing challenges in the Lake Chad Basin, particularly the shrinking of the lake, environmental degradation, insecurity, and the socio-economic impact on affected communities.
She described the restoration and sustainable management of Lake Chad as a strategic priority for Nigeria, noting that revitalising the basin would boost agriculture, fisheries, trade, and regional integration, while also contributing to poverty reduction and long-term peace.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu further stressed that investment in water infrastructure is essential to tackling the root causes of insecurity by creating economic opportunities and improving livelihoods in vulnerable communities.
READ ALSO: FG Evacuates 269 Nigerians from South Africa to Meet Deadline on Undocumented Migrants Bites
CJID to Host West Africa Media Summit on Rising Disinformation Threats
Both countries reaffirmed their longstanding diplomatic relations and pledged to deepen cooperation in water resource management, agriculture, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and regional security.
The invitation to President Tinubu will be formally transmitted through appropriate channels for consideration, as Nigeria signals its support for the objectives of the Africa Water Summit and the broader Water Forward Initiative.
About The Author
