Zulum Pushes to Reopen Baga–Chad Waterway, Eyes Trade Revival in Lake Chad Region
The long-abandoned water route between Baga in northern Borno State and neighbouring Chad may soon spring back to life as Governor Babagana Umara Zulum intensifies efforts to restore commerce and economic activities across the Lake Chad region.
During a visit to Baga on Saturday, Zulum held high-level consultations with military commanders and security officials on plans to clear the strategic waterway that has remained largely inaccessible for years due to insurgency and insecurity.
The governor said discussions centred on practical steps needed to secure the route and facilitate the movement of goods and people between Nigeria and Chad, a development that could significantly boost livelihoods in communities devastated by years of conflict.
“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 told journalists after the meeting.
He expressed optimism that the clearance operation would commence soon, noting that both the Nigerian and Chadian governments were already working together on arrangements to enable the smooth movement of commodities across the border.
The proposed reopening is seen as a major economic lifeline for communities around Lake Chad, where fishing, farming and cross-border trade have historically sustained thousands of families. The disruption of these activities by insurgent violence contributed to economic decline, displacement and widespread humanitarian challenges across the region.
Security experts and local stakeholders believe the restoration of the route could help reconnect markets, lower transportation costs and encourage the return of legitimate commercial activities that once flourished between Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
Beyond the security discussions, Zulum inspected several key projects in Kukawa Local Government Area aimed at accelerating post-conflict recovery. The projects include a General Hospital, a Mega Primary School and the High Islamic College.
The High Islamic College is designed to provide educational opportunities for out-of-school children and Almajiri pupils through a curriculum that combines Islamic and Western education. Graduates of the institution will be eligible for admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country.
The governor also unveiled plans to support local economic recovery through agriculture. He announced that farming tools, agricultural implements and improved seedlings would soon be distributed to farmers, while returnee fishing communities would receive assistance to rebuild their livelihoods.
The planned reopening of the Baga-Chad waterway forms part of broader efforts by the Borno State Government to stabilise communities affected by more than a decade of insurgency. It also aligns with ongoing regional initiatives aimed at restoring security, encouraging resettlement and reviving economic activities across the Lake Chad basin.
For many residents, the reopening of the waterway represents more than a transportation project; it is viewed as a symbol of recovery and a pathway to renewed prosperity for communities seeking to rebuild after years of conflict and isolation.
