The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) and international development partners, has launched a five-day high-level regional workshop in Abuja to assess the progress of the Niger Basin–Iullemeden-Taoudéni/Tanezrouft Aquifer Systems (NB-ITTAS) project.
The event, which runs from May 26 to 30, brings together stakeholders from all nine NBA member countries to foster regional cooperation on sustainable water management and climate-resilient practices across the Basin.
Speaking at the opening session, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev—represented by the Ministry’s Director of Planning and Technical Support Services, Engr. Adeyinka Adenopo—described NB-ITTAS as a strategic initiative addressing major environmental threats, including climate change, land degradation, and pollution.
“The project supports the NBA’s Sustainable Development Action Plan and contributes to the creation of a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and Strategic Action Plan,” Utsev stated, noting its alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation.
He emphasised that the project has helped enhance livelihoods and strengthen ecosystems across the Basin, including in Nigeria’s Ayele-Iggah and Akpanaja communities in Nasarawa State, where implementation is ongoing.
In his remarks, Acting Executive Secretary of the NBA, Mr. Zinsou Didier—represented by Technical Director Mr. Adamou Ibro—commended Nigeria for hosting the workshop and highlighted key project milestones. These include 17 pilot projects, conservation of aquatic habitats, sustainable forest management, and the formation of regional and national governance platforms.
“NB-ITTAS has delivered significant progress, but increased community ownership and institutional backing are essential for long-term impact,” Didier noted.
Also speaking, NBA Project Coordinator Engr. Adeyinka Adenopo, represented by Deputy Director of Planning Mrs. Angela Keyede, acknowledged the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for funding the project. She said the support enabled the rollout of integrated water resources management (IWRM) strategies that have improved ecosystem health and economic conditions in participating communities.
As the workshop continues, delegates are expected to share best practices, assess project impacts, and agree on new strategies to scale up successful interventions and deepen regional cooperation.
The Niger Basin Authority comprises Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. Through projects like NB-ITTAS, the Authority is working to balance environmental conservation with the developmental needs of over 160 million people who depend on the Basin’s resources.
