By Abdulkareem Haruna

Leaders from across the Lake Chad Basin region are set to gather in Maiduguri, Borno State, northeast Nigeria, on Wednesday Jan. 29, for the 5th edition of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum.

The three-day summit, themed “Rebuilding the Lake Chad Basin: Consolidating Gains, Commitment to Peace, Cross-Border Cooperation, Security, and Sustainable Development for a Resilient Community,” will focus on addressing the multifaceted challenges facing the region, including insecurity, climate change, and displacement.

The 5th Forum is taking place at a time when the fragile security situation in the region is being challenged by a recent upsurge in attacks, particularly targeting Nigerian forces engaged in the decade-and-a-half-long fight against the outlawed Boko Haram terrorist group.

The 5th Forum is being hosted by the government of Yobe State.

Baba Mallam Wali, Secretary to the Yobe State Government and Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, emphasized the significance of the forum during a pre-event press briefing. “This forum represents a critical juncture in our collective efforts to bring stability and prosperity to the Lake Chad Basin,” Wali stated.

“We will explore innovative solutions, align our efforts with the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, and strengthen cross-border cooperation to address the evolving challenges.”

The forum will feature a series of high-level discussions on key issues, including the review of the Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery, and Resilience (RS-SRR), the launch of the Stabilization and Development Fund, and the exploration of strategies to address food insecurity and climate change. “We will also focus on managing exits from armed groups, fostering transitional justice, and promoting reintegration to enhance social cohesion,” Wali added.

Nigeria, as a key player in the Lake Chad Basin Commission and a major contributor to the Multinational Joint Task Force, plays a pivotal role in regional stabilization efforts. “Nigeria has demonstrated genuine commitment to addressing security challenges, fostering regional cooperation, and supporting humanitarian efforts,” Wali noted.

“Hosting this forum underscores Nigeria’s leadership in driving collective action for a peaceful and resilient Lake Chad Basin.”

The forum will bring together governors, policymakers, development partners, civil society organizations, traditional leaders, and representatives from the international community.

“This is not just a meeting; it is a platform to forge actionable partnerships, align strategies, and mobilize the resources needed to transform the Lake Chad Basin into a region of peace, stability, and opportunity,Wali concluded.

The 5th edition of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum is expected to culminate in the presentation of a communiqué outlining concrete action plans and reaffirming the commitment of the participating states to the RS-SRR.

The 5th edition of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum is officially scheduled to open on Wednesday, January 29th. Preceding the main event are side meetings where various stakeholder groups are brainstorming on key thematic issues affecting the region.

The last regional stabilization meeting of the Lake Chad Basin Governors was held in Ndjamena, Chad, in 2023.