Roadmap on Saving the Lake Chad to Revitalise the Basin Ecosystem for Sustainable Livelihood, Security and Development

A Roadmap outlines strategies to restore the Lake Chad basin through water transfer and ecosystem revitalization. It targets communities in affected states and international partners. This aims to enhance sustainable livelihoods and security in the region.

What Is This Policy?

A strategic roadmap developed by Nigeria and Lake Chad Basin stakeholders to address the dramatic shrinkage of Lake Chad and its environmental, humanitarian, and security consequences through water transfer, ecosystem restoration, and community resilience building.

Who Does It Target?

Lake Chad Basin communities in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states Lake Chad Basin Commission member states Federal ministries of water resources, environment, and agriculture International development and humanitarian organizations

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Reverse the decline of Lake Chad through large-scale water replenishment, environmental restoration, and sustainable development that addresses the livelihoods, food security, and stability of the basin's population.

Key Features

Inter-Basin Water Transfer: Proposed transfer of water from the Congo River basin to replenish Lake Chad Ecosystem Restoration: Rehabilitation of wetlands, fisheries, and agricultural zones around the lake Livelihood Support: Programmes for fishing, farming, and pastoral communities dependent on the lake Security Dimension: Addressing the link between resource scarcity and insecurity in the basin Regional Cooperation: Coordinated action among Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active advocacy and preliminary planning Coverage: Lake Chad Basin across four countries, with Nigeria's focus on Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa Lead Agency: Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Lake Chad Basin Commission Partners: UNESCO, UNDP, AfDB, bilateral donors

How to Access

The roadmap is a publicly available policy document. Access through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources Available through Lake Chad Basin Commission publications

Official Resources

Website: waterresources.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Abuja

Legal Framework

Operates under the Lake Chad Basin Commission Convention 1964 (and its successive protocols), Nigeria's Constitution Section 12 on treaty ratification. Draws on the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the Paris Agreement, and the Great Green Wall Initiative framework adopted by the AU.