The Faculty of Environmental Sciences at Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University Makurdi (MOAUM), Benue State, in collaboration with the Environment and Safety Management Institute and civil society partners, hosted the 1st International Conference on “River Benue and Sustainable Development in the 21st Century” from September 9–12, 2025. The event drew over 200 participants from academia, government, civil society, and development organisations.
In his welcome address, Professor Simon Terver Ubwa, Acting Vice-Chancellor, highlighted the global significance of rivers in sustaining civilisations, drawing parallels with the Nile, Indus, and Tigris-Euphrates. He stressed the urgent need to safeguard the River Benue amid threats from climate change, flooding, and unsustainable practices.
Professor Daniel Serki Ortserga, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, described the river as a “resource giant” with immense ecological and socioeconomic potential, while noting challenges such as farmer-herder conflicts, unsustainable fishing practices, and untapped tourism opportunities.
The conference featured lead papers from distinguished scholars. Professor Temi Emmanuel Ologunorisa of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology discussed climate change, flood hydroclimatology, and policy-science integration for flood risk management. Professor Olarewaju Oluseyi Ifatimehin of Kogi State University addressed land degradation, climate resilience, and sustainable river basin development.
Additional insights came from key stakeholders.
Professor Member Genyi, Director of Gender Studies, MOAUM, emphasised proper management of the River Benue for its economic gains.
She noted, “The things we say about linking resources from River Benue and the extent of sustainability of the process of development is very important because we will not just be raising proposals in this hall, but that they will be taken out to be made into policy options, how it serves the environment, climate change, economic opportunities, etc.”
Terese Ninga, Managing Director of the Lower Benue Development Authority, highlighted that the river is undergoing changes detrimental to the wellbeing of its people, noting the importance of academic research in guiding sustainable solutions.
Dr. Kenneth Uchua, Director of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA), stated, “When very good decisions are taken on the premise of high verifiable results, they will be guaranteed for livelihood, sustainability of our environment, and improvement of wellbeing.”
Dr. Daniel Dam, Deputy Dean of the Faculty, described the River Benue as one of God’s natural gifts, emphasising the need to harness its resources for regional and national development, and to ensure food security.
Over 60 papers were presented in technical and plenary sessions, covering key themes:
- Climate Change and Water Resources – rainfall variability, water level changes, flood risk mapping, and community resilience.
- Ecosystems, Land Use, and Sustainability – erosion, contamination, fisheries, riparian vegetation, and renewable energy solutions.
- Socioeconomic Development and Livelihoods – farmer-herder conflicts, inland water transportation, fisheries-based livelihoods, and migration impacts.
- Health, Community, and Gender Dimensions – public health risks, WASH interventions, and inclusion of women, displaced persons, and vulnerable populations.
- Tourism, Culture, and Education – sustainable tourism potential, secondary education, youth-led climate action.
- Innovation and Technology – geospatial analysis, GIS and remote sensing applications, and AI in climate change mitigation.
A consistent message across all sessions was that the River Benue is not only an ecological resource but also a socioeconomic lifeline, requiring urgent policy action, technological innovation, and inclusive community engagement.
The conference received goodwill messages from partner civil society organisations (CSOs) including:
- Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), delivered by Dr. David Michael Terungwa, Executive Director, called for safeguarding the river as a lifeline for over 20 million people and aligning interventions with the SDGs.
- Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative (GERI), delivered by Stephanie Temang, Acting Deputy Executive Director and Gender Desk Officer, emphasised gender-responsive approaches to environmental risk reduction.
- Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet), delivered by Abuh Monday Stephen, National Network Coordinator, stressed the need for climate-smart agriculture, policy integration, and ecosystem-based management.
- Global Health Education Foundation (GLOHEF) reaffirmed its commitment to community-driven health and environmental initiatives and support for sustainable management of the River Benue.
The conference also featured a Tiv cultural dance performance, reflecting the deep connection between the river and local heritage.
The event concluded with a communiqué affirming the River Benue’s centrality to food security, biodiversity conservation, and socioeconomic resilience. Key resolutions included:
- Strengthening collaboration among academia, government, CSOs, and communities.
- Mainstreaming climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction into river basin management.
- Promoting sustainable livelihoods through eco-friendly practices and renewable energy.
- Enhancing community awareness and participation, particularly of women and youth.
- Developing policies to harness tourism, transport, and agricultural potentials of the river.
The deliberations and resolutions will feed into ongoing advocacy and policy dialogues aimed at repositioning the River Benue as a driver of sustainable development in Nigeria and beyond.