By Mohammed Bello Doka
The Director General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, along with Awoibi Joe-Ukairo, Deputy Director of the Hydrogeophysics Department, represented Nigeria at the prestigious 10th Global Environment Facility (GEF) Biennial International Waters Conference, held in Punta Del Este, Uruguay. This significant event, hosted by the Government of Uruguay, brought together international stakeholders to discuss water and ocean sustainability under the theme, *"Transformative Actions and Impacts for the Water and Ocean SDGs: The GEF IW Response to Global Challenges."*
The conference, which spanned multiple days, kicked off with a pre-conference workshop aimed at laying the groundwork for the main activities. Plenary sessions, roundtable discussions, and interactive workshops created a robust environment for participants to explore current challenges and collaborative solutions in water management and ocean sustainability.
One of the major highlights of the conference was the Innovation Marketplace, a space where key partners, sponsors, and agencies showcased their achievements, innovative solutions, and strategic approaches to tackling global water and ocean challenges. It was in this forum that NIHSA engaged with the sponsors of the NB-ITTAS Project, specifically discussing the impacts of the pilot demonstration project in Wammakko, Sokoto. These discussions focused on securing additional funding and technical support for advancing NIHSA’s flood forecasting initiatives. The goal is to fortify Nigeria’s hydrological systems, making them more resilient to the country’s environmental realities.
A critical part of the conference involved site visits to various technical installations related to international water management efforts. This gave participants, including the NIHSA delegation, a hands-on opportunity to witness global efforts in addressing water-related challenges. During networking sessions, the NIHSA team connected with peers from across the globe, discussing key successes in hydrological projects that Nigeria aims to replicate, including the establishment of a Coastal Waters Department.
For NIHSA, the conference was not just an opportunity to engage with international peers but also a platform to advocate for Nigeria’s hydrological needs in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Agency's leadership emphasized the importance of continued international collaboration, underscoring its commitment to securing advanced tools and partnerships that will improve water resource management in Nigeria.
NIHSA’s participation in the 10th GEF Biennial International Waters Conference marks a step forward in the Agency’s efforts to elevate Nigeria’s hydrological capabilities through innovative partnerships, cutting-edge research, and targeted global advocacy.
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