Stakeholders gathered in Abuja for the launch of Lokoja Dialogues, an initiative aimed at enhancing Nigeria's resilience to climate change through better water management. The event highlighted the WEFE nexus approach to address community challenges. Officials emphasized water's role in economic growth and social stability.
The Lokoja Dialogues was officially launched on Wednesday in Abuja, coordinated by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. This independent non-profit platform applies a Water, Energy, Food and Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus approach to tackle community challenges and build resilience against climate change.
Participants included representatives from the Ministries of Water Resources, Foreign Affairs, Finance, development partners, and the private sector. Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, performed the launch on behalf of Senator Abubakar Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning. He described the initiative as timely and strategic, noting that water availability affects household and community economics. "Reversing water scarcity can boost Nigeria’s growth by up to six per cent annually. The associated peace dividend through reduced farmers-herders conflicts can unlock as much as $13.7 billion annually," Edun stated.
Edun linked the effort to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on economic reform, inclusivity, and improving lives through community involvement. The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by Hajiya Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice President, praised the focus on essential needs. "Families seek better access to clean water, food and energy. This initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which seeks to enhance the quality of life for all Nigerians through unity, compassion and purposeful action," she said.
Mrs. Polly Alakija, CEO of Lokoja Dialogues, explained that the climate crisis in Nigeria is fundamentally a water management issue. "It is not about how much we have, but how we manage it," she said. Nigeria possesses abundant freshwater but faces access problems amid population growth and increasing water stress. The platform aims to transform challenges faced by farmers, herders, women, and local leaders into opportunities, generating home-grown solutions for water security and broader systems.
Engr. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, stressed alignment between technical and community efforts: "Water is the lifeblood that sustains our ecosystem, empowers our economy and nourishes our people." Amb. Yussuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, noted Africa's historical ties to water systems. The initiative addresses Nigeria's climate crisis by promoting sustainable water use for agriculture, power, and a clean environment.