Borno state Governor, Babagana Zulum, has expressed his administration’s commitment to reopening the waterway, linking Baga in northern Borno to the Republic of Chad, describing the move as vital for reviving trade, commerce, and cross-border relations between the two countries.
The governor made this known on Saturday, during a visit to Baga, where he held high-level security meetings with military commanders in Baga and Kukawa.
Discussions focused on strategies for clearing the water routes, which have remained largely inaccessible due to years of insurgent activities in the region.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Gov. Zulum said the visit was aimed at engaging the military on plans to restore navigation along the strategic water 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,” he said.
He added that both the Nigerian and Chadian governments were 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,” the governor stated.
Following the security meeting, Gov. Zulum inspected several ongoing projects in Kukawa aimed at improving healthcare, education, and social development.
The projects include a general hospital, a mega primary school, and a high Islamic college.
The high Islamic college is designed to provide educational opportunities for out-of-school children and Almajiri pupils by combining Islamic and Western education.
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Graduates of the institution will be eligible for admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country.
As part of efforts to support economic recovery in the area, the governor also announced plans to distribute farming tools, agricultural implements, and improved seedlings to local farmers and returning fishing communities.
The initiative is expected to complement the reopening of the waterway and enhance livelihoods in communities affected by years of insecurity.
The proposed reopening of the Baga–Chad waterway is seen as a significant step toward restoring economic activities and strengthening regional cooperation in the Lake Chad Basin.
