Water and sanitation experts at the 6th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage (ARCID 2025) in Abuja have made a unified call for stronger investments, regional collaboration, and inclusive participation to build climate-resilient irrigation systems across the continent.
The conference, which drew delegates from across Africa and beyond, closed on Wednesday, April 16, with stakeholders resolving to scale up irrigation infrastructure, empower youth and women, and deepen cooperation in the face of worsening climate impacts and food insecurity.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, represented by the Ministry’s Director of Reforms Coordination, Mr. Moses Jo-Madugu, commended participants for their commitment to transforming Africa’s agricultural landscape.
“This gathering has reaffirmed the urgency of building resilient systems that ensure food security and equitable access to water,” he said, adding that Nigeria remains committed to sustainable irrigation, water governance, and regional development.
Chairperson of the Nigerian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (NINCID), Engr. Oyeronke Oluniyi, emphasized the pivotal role of youth and women in driving innovation in agriculture.
She noted that young professionals brought fresh ideas to the conference, while female farmers from Jigawa and Zamfara showcased the transformative power of irrigation in rural livelihoods.
“Their stories remind us that with the right support, women are not just beneficiaries—they are change agents,” Oluniyi said.
President of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), Dr. Marco Arcieri, described the conference as a milestone for Africa’s water and agriculture sectors, urging stronger cross-border coordination to tackle water scarcity and enhance food production.
Also speaking, Engr. Inuwa Kuta Musa, Co-Chair of the ARCID Task Team, stressed the need to accelerate action on irrigation to meet growing food demands and climate threats.
“We must shift from seasonal farming to year-round food production,” he said.
Former Managing Director of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Engr. Razaq Jimoh, warned that poverty cannot be eradicated unless farmers are supported to produce food beyond the rainy season.
The conference also featured a field visit to an irrigation site in Nasarawa State and sessions dedicated to youth engagement and women in agriculture. Individuals were awarded for their contributions to the water sector.
