The twelve River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) have pledged to support the Federal Government’s food security agenda by forging stronger partnerships and embracing modern agricultural technologies.
Speaking on behalf of the RBDA boards and management teams at the close of a two-day retreat in Abuja on Saturday, Abubakar Malam, Managing Director of the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority, acknowledged the numerous challenges facing the sector.
He cited ageing infrastructure, insecurity, and the impacts of climate change—including flooding, erosion, and erratic weather—as persistent obstacles hindering optimal productivity across the various zones.
“Our facilities are obsolete, and climate change is worsening the situation,” Malam said. “Yet, we remain undeterred. We are committed to innovation, adopting modern irrigation technologies, and transforming the River Basins into more sustainable and productive institutions.”
Malam emphasised that these goals cannot be achieved in isolation, stressing the need for strategic partnerships.
“We are committed to building strong collaborations, particularly with state governments, to ensure local actions are aligned with national priorities,” he stated. “Partnerships are key to strengthening extension services, addressing community needs, and improving project outcomes.”
The Managing Directors also reaffirmed their commitment to open-door policies under the Federal Government’s partial commercialisation framework, which seeks to attract private sector investment. This approach is viewed as a critical step toward revitalising Nigeria’s agricultural sector by creating opportunities for agribusiness growth, rural development, and sustainable irrigation.
“In line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals—particularly Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and Goal 13 (Climate Action)—the RBDAs are focusing on expanding irrigated farmlands and equipping farmers with modern agricultural techniques,” Malam added.
“Other priorities include strengthening agricultural value chains to reduce food waste, enhance productivity, and improve market access. These initiatives are aimed at boosting food availability and achieving national food security by 2027.”
The Joint Appointees Forum also urged development partners, private sector players, and other stakeholders to take advantage of emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. The forum underscored the potential for collaborative action in revitalising rural economies through sustainable irrigation and agribusiness, which are central to the government’s food security agenda.
The retreat concluded with a renewed commitment from all twelve RBDAs to deliver measurable and impactful results.
