By Miriam Humbe
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) hosted a National Stakeholders’ Coordination meeting for the commencement of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Regional Technical Cooperation Project RAF7024.
It was titled: “Accelerating the Use of Isotope Hydrology in Water Resources Management in Africa.”
The meeting brought together relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), research institutions, technical experts, and key stakeholders.
Discussions were hinged on strengthening collaboration, national priorities, defining institutional responsibilities, and establishing a framework for effective participation in the regional project.
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiHSA, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of scientific innovation in addressing emerging water resource challenges caused by climate variability, population growth, urbanization, environmental degradation, and increasing socio-economic demands.
The Director-General said that the RAF7024 project represented an important milestone in promoting the use of isotope hydrology as a scientific approach for improved water resources assessment and sustainable management across Africa.
He said that the project builds on the achievements of the previous RAF7021 project, which demonstrated the value of isotope techniques in understanding groundwater quality degradation, pollution pathways, and groundwater systems.
According to him, the new phase will provide opportunities for participating countries to strengthen technical capacities, improve monitoring networks, enhance laboratory infrastructure, improve data management systems, and promote stronger connections between scientific research and policy decisions.
He said the project presents Nigeria with an opportunity to deepen understanding of hydrological processes within critical basins, particularly the Niger and Lake Chad Basins, adding that isotope hydrology will support groundwater assessment, identification of pollution sources, understanding of groundwater flow systems, and sustainable management of national and transboundary water resources.
The Director-General also emphasized the importance of regional collaboration and knowledge sharing among African countries, noting that coordinated research and harmonized approaches are essential for effective management of shared water resources.
The Project Coordinator, Dr. Chukwudi Nyanwu MacLaine, who joined the meeting virtually, thanked NiHSA for hosting the coordination meeting and commended stakeholders for their commitment towards strengthening isotope hydrology capacity in Nigeria.
Dr. MacLaine explained that the project focuses on capacity building, expanding technical knowledge, developing infrastructure, and strengthening partnerships among participating institutions.
He stressed the importance of establishing an isotope hydrology laboratory in Nigeria, describing it as a matter of national concern, and encouraged stakeholders to explore partnerships and financing opportunities to support the development of the facility.
During the technical sessions, the Technical Adviser to the Director-General of NiHSA, Mr. Stephen Margima Jabo, presented on the Basic Concept of Isotope Hydrology, selected case studies in Nigeria, overview of the Regional Technical Cooperation Sahel Project, and introduction to RAF7024.
The Acting Director, Department of Hydrogeophysics, Mr. S.U. Hussaini, led discussions on stakeholder commitments, roles and responsibilities, project site selection, research gap analysis, sampling strategies, and national monitoring approaches.
Participants deliberated on identifying priority research areas within shared basins, developing sampling strategies, integrating isotope hydrology results into water resources planning processes, and establishing effective reporting arrangements.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to develop the National Work Plan, agree on coordination mechanisms, and define contributions required from participating institutions.
The programme ended with a review of key decisions, agreed next steps, and action points towards effective national participation in the RAF7024 regional initiative.
The project is expected to contribute significantly to strengthening scientific capacity, improving water resources management practices, and supporting sustainable water security efforts in Nigeria and across Africa.
