Abuja: The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has announced that member countries of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) will benefit from its partnership with the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) on the International Transboundary Aquifer System (ITAS) project. Mr. Umar Mohammed, Director-General of NiHSA, made this announcement during the Regional Workshop on Sharing Experiences and Best Practices in the Management of Groundwater Resources in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the project is focused on restoring groundwater levels in the Sokoto Rima Basin in northwestern Nigeria. The lessons learned from this initiative could be expanded across the Niger Basin, which spans nine West and Central African countries. Mohammed emphasized the importance of monitoring and managing transboundary waters, including both surface and underground aquifers shared with neighboring countries. He noted that groundwater levels in the Sokoto Basin had significantly decreased due to the deflection of a river, leading many farmers to abandon their lands. However, collaboration with OSS has yielded promising results, with the project nearing completion and showing signs of groundwater recharge.
Mohammed highlighted the feasibility of water transfer as a solution to climate change-related water challenges, mentioning ongoing pilot projects in Nigeria and potential replication in other NBA countries. He explained that environmental and climate factors had altered the course of the Sokoto River, and efforts are underway to restore its natural path to facilitate groundwater recharge. The agency anticipates that farmers will return to their fields during the dry season due to these improvements.
Ms. Soumaya Mouhli, a water expert at OSS, explained that the ITAS study addressed pandemic-related and environmental risks, revealing strong interactions between the Niger River and underground aquifers. The study showed that the Niger River contributes approximately 35 million cubic meters of water to aquifers annually, while aquifers replenish local rivers with about 650 million cubic meters each year. The research also mapped pollution risks and identified water transfer options for remote communities.
Prof. Murtala Abubakar, a member of the Inter-Ministerial and Scientific Committee of the ITAS Project, emphasized the initiative’s importance for groundwater management in the Niger Basin. He noted that the project aims to improve management in the southern Basin, particularly the climate-vulnerable Sokoto Basin. By ensuring a consistent flow within the Sokoto River, the project seeks to secure steady groundwater recharge and reliable water supply for local communities.
Abubakar highlighted the project’s potential to restore farmlands, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve livelihoods in the region. He disclosed that the project initially received a budget of 200,000 dollars, which has been utilized, and discussions are ongoing for additional funding. The ITAS project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and executed by OSS, aims to increase the capacity of NBA member countries to address groundwater challenges, enhance food security, and build climate resilience.