The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) have renewed their commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and developing sustainable financing mechanisms to address climate change, water security and livelihood challenges across the Niger Basin.
The commitment was made in Abuja today, at the Regional Workshop for the Validation of the Study Report on the In-depth Financial Analysis for the Implementation of the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Fund in the Niger Basin (RCCAF/NB).
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA), H.E. Kocou Armand Houanye, said the establishment and operationalisation of the RCCAF/NB was critical to securing sustainable financing for climate change adaptation, water security and ecosystem protection across the Basin.
Houanye said the Niger Basin, which serves more than 200 million people across nine countries, possesses enormous development potential, including nearly five million hectares of land suitable for hydro-agricultural development. He also noted that the Basin has an estimated 200 billion cubic metres of water that could be mobilised and sustainably utilised to strengthen water, energy and food security, enhance climate resilience and protect ecosystems.
He stressed the need for Member States to strengthen domestic resource mobilisation and develop innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms, rather than relying predominantly on external development assistance.
According to him, the RCCAF/NB was established by the Heads of State and Government of the Niger Basin countries, with technical and financial support from the African Development Bank Group, to provide a sustainable financing platform for climate change adaptation and resilient development across the region.
The Executive Secretary explained that significant milestones had already been achieved towards the establishment and operationalisation of the Fund, including the validation of its feasibility study and the approval by the NBA Council of Ministers of its legal texts, legal personality and Articles of Association.
He said the current financial analysis was being undertaken pursuant to a resolution of the 43rd Ordinary Session of the NBA Council of Ministers, which directed the Executive Secretariat to conduct an in-depth financial analysis of the implementation of the RCCAF/NB. This, he said, would facilitate its effective operationalisation and enable Member States to take the necessary steps towards aligning their national legislation with the Fund’s legal framework.
Houanye further disclosed that the ongoing Programme for Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Niger Basin (PIDACC/NB), funded by the African Development Bank and its partners, including the Green Climate Fund, the European Union, the German Cooperation and other development partners, had recorded significant achievements across the nine beneficiary countries.
He stated that approximately 16,000 hectares of degraded land had been restored, while more than 100 multipurpose water infrastructure projects had either been completed or were under construction, contributing to improved livelihoods, food security and the resilience of communities and ecosystems across the Basin.
The NBA Executive Secretary said the Authority was also preparing for the next phase of regional development following the completion of PIDACC/NB, with a greater focus on strategic water infrastructure to strengthen water security, enhance the resilience of communities and ecosystems, and support sustainable development across the Basin.
He expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Nigeria, the NBA National Focal Structure in Nigeria, the National Coordinating Unit of Users of the Niger Basin’s Natural Resources, the African Development Bank Group and other Technical and Financial Partners for their continued support to the Authority and its programmes.
In his opening remarks, the National Coordinator, NBA National Focal Structure (NFS), Nigeria, Mr Robert Umezulike, who spoke on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev FNSE, described the Niger Basin as a shared heritage and a critical foundation for the water, food and energy security of the region’s population.
Umezulike said the workshop provided an opportunity to move beyond discussions of figures and examine whether the financing arrangements for regional priorities were realistic, sustainable and capable of delivering measurable benefits to communities.
He called for frank discussions on financing gaps and implementation constraints, while urging participants to explore innovative resource mobilisation opportunities, including stronger engagement with development partners, climate financing institutions and other potential sources of investment.
The National Coordinator reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation, solidarity and shared responsibility, noting that the sustainability of the Niger Basin ultimately depends on the collective commitment of Member States to translate agreed priorities into concrete action.
He expressed confidence that the workshop would produce practical and solution-oriented recommendations to strengthen the financial sustainability and effective implementation of the RCCAF/NB.
The workshop brings together representatives of NBA Member States, Technical and Financial Partners, project and dam management agencies, experts, PIDACC/NB Coordinators and other key stakeholders to review, improve and validate the financial analysis report preparatory to the operationalisation of the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Fund.
Signed:
Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan
Director, Information and Public Relations
Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation
6/10/2026
