From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has stressed the need for partnerships and greater investment in irrigation to tackle climate change, population growth, and food insecurity.
The minister made this known at the 6th African Irrigation and Drainage (ARCID) Conference, which concluded with an award ceremony on Wednesday night in Abuja.
Professor Utsev, who was represented by Mr Moses Jo-Madugu, Director – Reforms Coordination – with the ministry, said that their collaborative work would pave the way for developing actionable strategies in the irrigation and drainage sector for both Nigeria and the African continent.
Utsev commended the efforts of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), the African Regional Working Group, and all participating countries for their dedication to the conference’s goals.
He stressed the importance of collaboration, innovation, and ensuring accessible water resources for farmers to foster prosperity across Africa.
Mrs Oyeronke Oluniyi, Chairperson of the Nigerian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (NINCID), said that the conference stood out for its strong engagement with young professionals from six African countries.
“The level of participation, knowledge-sharing, and innovation brought by these young professionals was impressive.
“They are no longer just learners; they are ready to lead and drive meaningful change in irrigation development across the continent.”
According to Oluniyi, who is also the Director of Irrigation and Drainage at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, a key highlight of the conference was a field visit to an irrigation site near Keffi, Nasarawa.
She described the visit as “a practical eye-opener” that provided real-world insight into the challenges and opportunities within irrigation practice.
She emphasised the importance of harnessing the creativity and energy of young people to promote sustainable agriculture in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“These young minds are well-positioned to contribute to food security, effective water resource management, and increased agricultural productivity,” she said.
Oluniyi also pointed to a pre-conference youth forum, which provided a platform for delegates from various countries to collaborate, network, and exchange ideas.
Also speaking at the event, President of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), Dr Marco Arcieri, described the conference as a significant milestone for Africa.
He called for greater collaboration and networking to address shared challenges, including water scarcity and food insecurity.
“There are important lessons to take forward. From now on, we must strengthen cooperation and improve coordination to meet our development goals”.