Nigeria’s President Opens Lake Chad Governors’ Forum Meeting, Says Region “Not at Ease”

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has called for renewed commitment to regional cooperation and resilience as the Lake Chad Basin grapples with persistent insecurity and economic hardship.

Speaking at the opening of the 5th meeting of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria, Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, acknowledged the progress made in stabilising the region but warned that significant challenges remain.

“The Lake Chad region is not at ease, and neither should we be,” he noted, urging leaders to work together in tackling threats posed by insurgency and instability.

Eight governors from the Lake Chad Basin, whose states share borders with the shrinking lake, convened in Maiduguri for the forum. Launched in 2018, the annual gathering serves as a platform for regional leaders to assess security, humanitarian efforts, and development strategies.

This year’s meeting comes at a critical time, with the region facing a resurgence of violent attacks, particularly targeting Nigerian forces engaged in the long-running fight against Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, ISWAP.

Despite being hosted in Borno State’s capital, the Yobe State government officially organised the event, drawing key stakeholders, international humanitarian organisations, and development partners.

President Tinubu lauded the Lake Chad Basin Commission for its leadership in coordinating the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and implementing the Regional Strategy for Stabilisation, Recovery, and Resilience (RS-SRR).

“The successes we have recorded in repelling threats…owe much to the joint missions we have embarked on,” he said.

Paying tribute to the sacrifices of MNJTF personnel, Tinubu stressed that the region’s true enemy is not just violent groups but also “the absence of cooperation, sincerity, and fidelity to our shared pact.” He also cautioned against external interference, warning that the Lake Chad Basin must not become “a tool in any proxy agenda.”

“The salvation of this region is neither in Europe nor the Americas. It lies in the hands of those gathered here today,” he said, urging leaders to prioritise local solutions.

Tinubu thanked international partners such as Germany, the United Kingdom, the United Nations, and the African Development Bank for their critical support, urging them to “sustain and even deepen your engagement.”

While acknowledging the necessity of military action, Tinubu emphasised that sustainable peace requires addressing root causes such as poverty, inequality, and youth unemployment.

“Hard power, detached from the moral imperatives of justice and diplomacy, only widens the very divides it seeks to bridge,” Tinubu warned, referencing the historic $2.4 trillion global military expenditure in 2023.

Meanwhile, in his welcome speech, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni highlighted the region’s multifaceted challenges, from security threats to climate change. However, he struck an optimistic tone, citing progress in stabilisation efforts and the “voluntary, safe, and dignified return” of displaced populations.

“This Forum remains a beacon of hope,” Buni said, praising the RS-SRR for its role in rehabilitating infrastructure and restoring livelihoods in Yobe State.

As discussions unfold, Buni urged stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to a “peaceful, stable, and prosperous Lake Chad Basin,” stressing that collective action is key to overcoming the region’s challenges.

With regional leaders and development partners in attendance, the forum is expected to facilitate critical discussions to strengthen networks and ensure long-term stability, recovery, and resilience.