Nigeria, Chad Strengthen Bilateral Ties Ahead of Africa Water Summit

Nigeria and Chad have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing regional development following the delivery of a special invitation from Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to attend the forthcoming Africa Water Summit.

The renewed commitment was highlighted during a meeting in Abuja, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, received Chad's Special Envoy, Tahir Hamid Nguilin, who conveyed the invitation on behalf of the Chadian leader.

During the meeting, the Special Envoy outlined the objectives of the upcoming Africa Water Summit, emphasizing its focus on promoting water security, sustainable financing, climate resilience, and regional development across the African continent. The summit is expected to bring together African leaders, policymakers, development partners, and experts to discuss practical solutions to the continent's growing water and environmental challenges.

Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed Nigeria's strong support for the Africa Water Summit and the Water Forward Initiative, describing water resource management as a strategic priority for sustainable development and regional cooperation.

She highlighted the importance of restoring the Lake Chad Basin, noting that revitalizing the shrinking water body would have far-reaching economic and security benefits for countries within the region. According to the minister, improving the ecological health of Lake Chad would strengthen agricultural productivity, boost regional trade, improve food security, create employment opportunities, and enhance economic integration among neighbouring countries.

The restoration of the Lake Chad Basin has long been viewed as a critical regional development project, given its significance to millions of people whose livelihoods depend on farming, fishing, livestock production, and cross-border commerce. Environmental degradation and the shrinking of the lake have contributed to economic hardship, displacement, and security challenges across parts of Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger.

Both countries also reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in key areas, including water resources management, infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, climate adaptation, and regional peace and security. The discussions underscored the importance of collaborative action in addressing shared developmental and environmental challenges.

Nigeria and Chad have maintained longstanding diplomatic and economic relations, working together through regional institutions to promote peace, combat insecurity, and foster sustainable development in the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Central and West African region.

The forthcoming Africa Water Summit is expected to provide an important platform for advancing partnerships and mobilizing investment in water infrastructure, sanitation, irrigation, and climate resilience projects across the continent.

As Africa continues to confront the effects of climate change, population growth, and increasing pressure on water resources, stronger regional cooperation is becoming essential to ensuring sustainable development. Nigeria and Chad's renewed commitment to joint action reflects a shared recognition that effective water management, environmental restoration, and cross-border collaboration are critical to promoting long-term economic growth, food security, and regional stability.