Kafin Zaki Dam Revival to generate three Million Jobs, boost food Security in Northern Nigeria

The revival of the Kafin Zaki Dam irrigation project is poised to transform Northern Nigeria’s agricultural sector, with projections indicating the creation of over three million jobs and significant improvement in food security.

Speaking during an inspection of the proposed irrigation zone in Ganjuwa Local Government Area, the Managing Director of the Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Rabi’u Sulaiman Bichi, said the initiative is aimed at commercialising irrigation farming and reducing dependence on rain-fed agriculture.

He revealed that about three hundred boreholes have already been drilled, while plans are underway to deploy sprinkler irrigation systems across extensive hectares of farmland.

According to him, the dam, with a capacity of four billion cubic metres of water, is expected to become the largest reservoir in the country.

Bichi added that six thousand hectares of land have been earmarked for irrigation in Bauchi State, with an initial two hundred and fifty hectares set for immediate cultivation.

He noted that the project would stimulate economic activities across multiple sectors as increased income leads to higher spending.

The Managing Director further disclosed that eleven billion naira has been proposed in the 2026 budget for the Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, with a portion allocated to expanding irrigation infrastructure.

He assured that host communities would benefit through the provision of farming inputs and resettlement support.

The MD also stated that over 228,000 people would directly benefit from the project, while many others would gain employment through agricultural value chains, including processing, transportation, and marketing.

In his remarks, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Abdullahi Muhammad Gwaram, represented by the Director of Inspectorate and Monitoring, Sale Umar Misau, said Governor Bala Mohammed has demonstrated strong commitment to the project.

He added that a high-powered committee has been constituted to ensure its successful implementation.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Ganjuwa Local Government Area, Muhammad Idris Miya, described farming as a key source of pride in the region, noting that the revival of the Kafin Zaki Dam would bring renewed hope and economic opportunities to the people.