Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno state, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reopening the waterway linking Baga in northern Borno State to the Republic of Chad, describing the initiative as crucial to restoring trade, commerce and regional cooperation.
Zulum made the declaration on Saturday during a visit to Baga, where he held high-level security meetings with military commanders in Baga and Kukawa. The discussions centred on modalities for clearing the water routes, which have remained largely inaccessible due to years of insurgency in the Lake Chad region.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the governor said the engagement with the military was aimed at accelerating efforts to restore navigation along the strategic corridor.
“Our visit to Baga was to interface with the Nigerian military to discuss the modalities for clearing waterways from Baga to the Republic of Chad,” Zulum said.
He disclosed that the governments of Nigeria and Chad were already collaborating on arrangements to facilitate the movement of goods and commodities between the two neighbouring countries.
“We have discussed many issues, and Insha Allah, the clearance exercise will resume very soon. The governments of Chad and Nigeria are working together to determine how commodities will move between the two countries,” he added.
Following the security meeting, the governor inspected ongoing projects in Kukawa Local Government Area aimed at improving healthcare, education and social development. The projects include a General Hospital, a Mega Primary School and a High Islamic College.
According to Zulum, the High Islamic College is designed to provide educational opportunities for out-of-school children and Almajiri pupils through the integration of Islamic and Western education. Graduates of the institution will be qualified for admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country.
The governor also announced plans to distribute farming tools, agricultural implements and improved seedlings to local farmers and returning fishing communities as part of efforts to stimulate economic recovery in the area.
The proposed reopening of the Baga–Chad waterway is expected to boost economic activities, improve livelihoods and strengthen regional cooperation within the Lake Chad Basin after years of disruption caused by insecurity.