Nigeria, Chad Deepen Ties as President Déby Invites Tinubu to Africa Water Summit By Raymond Enoch
Nigeria and the Republic of Chad have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing regional cooperation, following the delivery of a special invitation from Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to participate in the forthcoming Africa Water Summit.
In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, ANIPR, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, the Ministry disclosed that the invitation was delivered by Chad’s Special Envoy, Tahir Hammid Nguilin, during a meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in Abuja.
According to the statement, the Chadian delegation formally presented a letter from President Déby inviting President Tinubu to attend the summit, which will officially launch the Water Forward Initiative in Africa, a continental programme being implemented in collaboration with the World Bank> and other multilateral development partners.
The proposed summit is expected to place water security at the forefront of Africa’s development agenda by mobilising sustainable financing for water resources, irrigation, sanitation, agriculture and livestock development. Participating countries are also expected to sign country-specific partnership agreements with development partners, while African Heads of State and Government will adopt a declaration prioritising water security as a key driver of sustainable development.
The Chadian envoy stressed that Nigeria’s participation would be critical to the success of the initiative, noting that President Tinubu’s presence would reinforce continental efforts to address Africa’s growing water challenges while promoting inclusive economic growth and regional stability.
Receiving the invitation on behalf of President Tinubu, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed appreciation to President Déby for the gesture and conveyed Nigeria’s warm regards to the Government and people of Chad.
She observed that the proposed summit comes at a crucial period when water security has become increasingly important for sustainable development, food production, climate resilience, environmental protection and regional peace.
The Foreign Affairs Minister also highlighted the longstanding collaboration between Nigeria and Chad in addressing challenges facing the Lake Chad Basin, including environmental degradation, insecurity, declining water resources and the socio-economic difficulties confronting millions of people whose livelihoods depend on the basin.
She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the restoration and sustainable management of Lake Chad, describing it as a strategic priority capable of boosting agriculture, fisheries, irrigation, livestock production, commerce, navigation and regional integration while reducing poverty and fostering lasting peace across the region.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu further emphasised that investment in water infrastructure remains essential to tackling the root causes of insecurity by creating jobs, expanding economic opportunities and improving the living conditions of communities across the Lake Chad Basin.
She welcomed Chad’s proposal for stronger continental cooperation on water governance and assured the visiting delegation that President Tinubu would receive the invitation through the appropriate channels for consideration.
Both countries reaffirmed their longstanding cordial relationship, anchored on shared history, geographical proximity and common security interests, while pledging to deepen cooperation in water resources management, agriculture, environmental sustainability, infrastructure development, trade, economic integration and regional security through existing bilateral and multilateral frameworks.
