The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has urged Nigerians to remain calm as the Federal Government is working hard to bring security to all parts of the country.
Idris said this while speaking with newsmen shortly after observing Jumaat prayer at Yahaya Road Mosque in Kaduna on Friday, March 20, 2026.
The minister, who decried multiple bomb explosions across Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, pledged that such incidents would not be allowed to happen again.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris
“Indeed, our country is challenged as government is working hard to ensure that it brings security to all parts of this country.
“We have witnessed what has happened, especially in Borno State.
“We pray to Allah to make this be the last one, as government is working seriously to ensure that there is no repeat of that kind of incidents.
“We must also be very prayerful, and we must work together to ensure that all the challenges that we have in this country go away,” he said.
Idris urged all Muslims and non-Muslims to come together in the interest of the development and unity of the country.
“Our message is consistent with the message of President Bola Tinubu.
“He has urged all Nigerians to be steadfast, to take the lessons of Ramadan, and to continue to do all the good deeds of Ramadan and continue with them even after the month of Ramadan.
“It is important for all of us to take the lessons of Ramadan and ensure that we pray for our country, leaders, and all the people of Nigeria so that we can have a prosperous Nigeria beyond our expectation.”
According to Idris, this is a time for reflection for all Nigerians.
“We pray that all of us will really look at this moment and see the need for unity, for progress, and for the development of our country.
“Nigeria is indeed taking its rightful place. The country is respected more than ever before on the international scene.
“The reforms that the president has instituted, as challenging as they are, are meant for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he said.
The minister said that all hands must be on deck for the unity of the country.
“As we gain respect in the international arena, we also hope and pray for unity around our country,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Alhaji Garba Ibrahim, Chairman of Yahaya Road Mosque, urged Muslim faithful to imbibe the spirit of discipline, honesty, and the fear of Allah as taught by the Imam.
“Now, what the Imam has said, we have to imbibe the spirit of discipline, honesty, and the fear of Allah.
“As he mentioned again, the last Eid here, there were some people who pray Eid here, but today they have gone.
“None of them will never come back again. One day it will be our turn. So, we have to perform our obligations as the Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad taught us to do.
“We have to lay a legacy for our children and grandchildren. And that is what is called discipline in Islamic Ummah,” he said.
The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), a civil society organisation committed to environmental justice, climate resilience and sustainable development, has congratulated Dr. Nkiruka Chidia Maduekwe on her appointment as the State Project Coordinator of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWWAP), Abia State Chapter.
Dr Maduekwe is the immediate past Director, National Council on Climate Change (NCCC)
According to FENRAD, Maduekwe’s emergence at this critical time reflects a strategic commitment by the administration of Dr. Alex Otti to strengthen institutional capacity in addressing the persistent environmental challenges confronting Abia State, particularly gully erosion, land degradation, and the increasing impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities.
Dr. Nkiruka Chidia Maduekwe with staffers at Abia State NEWMAP
FENRAD says it recognises the vital role of NEWWAP in mitigating ecological threats, safeguarding livelihoods, and promoting sustainable watershed management.
“We are confident that Dr. Maduekwe’s wealth of experience, professionalism, and dedication to service will further reposition the project towards achieving impactful and measurable outcomes across the state.
“We also commend the outgoing Acting Project Coordinator, Mr. Onyenweaku Prince C., for his leadership during the transition phase and for laying a solid foundation for the continued implementation of the project,” submitted Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, Executive Director of FENRAD.
FENRAD says it underscores the importance of transparency, accountability, and community engagement in the execution of NEWWAP programmes, adding: “We urge the new leadership to prioritise inclusive stakeholder participation, especially among communities most affected by erosion and environmental degradation.”
The group added: “Furthermore, we call for strengthened collaboration between NEWWAP, the Abia State Ministry of Environment under the leadership of Philmon Asonye Ogbonna, civil society organisations, and development partners to ensure the delivery of sustainable, climate-resilient solutions.
“FENRAD remains committed to supporting policies and initiatives that promote environmental protection, human rights, and sustainable development. We look forward to working closely with Dr. Maduekwe and her team in advancing environmental governance and protecting the ecological future of Abia State.”
The MSBON Foundation, a non-profit organisation, has given a variety of entrepreneurial skills to 100 women and young people as part of its effort to promote economic development in Nigeria.
According to the organisation, the exercise was motivated by the belief that when people collaborate, everyone can benefit and ensure a better environment.
The founder of the foundation, Miss Chikodi Nwanisobi, said in her speech on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration her organisation hosted at the Abuja Children’s Home in Karu, that the programme was inspired by this year’s theme, “Skill to Income”, which was designed to promote transformational philanthropy.
Participants at the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration hosted by the MSBON Foundation at the Abuja Children’s Home in Karu, Abuja
“I would say what is significant to me is transformational giving—not just giving and letting go, but giving in a way that transforms lives, income, skills, and, most importantly, wellness and healthcare,” she said.
Nwanisobi explained that the beneficiaries were trained in petroleum jelly (Vaseline) production, soap making, disinfectants, handwash, and air fresheners to enable them to become financially independent.
She continued by saying that her organisation selected those skill sets because they are focused on helping these individuals apply the knowledge they have gained to generate revenue.
“We have come to a point where it is not just about having a home; the home needs to start developing and fending for itself,” which is why she and her team were on the ground to equip them to turn skills into income.
The philanthropist underlined the need for empowerment initiatives that go beyond training and include mentorship and sustainability, calling for collaborative efforts to empower women, as it was noted that government alone cannot achieve inclusive growth.
“I am calling on everyone, no matter how little; let’s reach out to our communities and empower our women, girls, and even boys, because we can do better when we collectively come together,” she stated.
Barr. Ada okolocha, who is a member of the MSBON Foundation, referred to the IWD as a reminder of women’s potential to surpass and grow beyond conventional duties.
According to her, it is a day women are reminded that they can be whatever they want to be and that the era of being confined to the kitchen is over.
She expressed displeasure over declining values among some young women, warning that beauty is not enough.
“When I speak, you should see substance,” she asserts.
The lawyer advocated for sensitisation of women in order to restore values, stating that “we are beginning to lose our identity and who we truly are.”
Mrs. Evelyn Madu, Assistant Director, Women Development, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, said that women’s empowerment is crucial to the development of the country because a woman’s empowerment empowers the nation as a whole, and a girl’s empowerment empowers a household.
Madu disclosed that the government is implementing policies to enhance women’s participation in governance and socio-economic activities.
“We are advocating for more seats for women in governance so that their voices can be heard, because if you are not there when your matter is being discussed, others will take decisions on your behalf,” she said.
In the same vein, the Administrator of Abuja Children’s Home, Mrs Quincy Patrick, said access remains key to effective empowerment, especially for vulnerable groups.
According to Patrick, bringing the programme into the home helped remove obstacles that frequently prevent people from taking advantage of these opportunities because, although empowerment is a broad concept, society needs access to empowerment.
“By bringing this programme here, barriers have been removed and access improved,” she hinted.
Government, corporate, media, and civil society representatives were present at the event. The organisation demonstrated their dedication to empowering people through humanitarian aid by providing the orphanage with food, sanitary pads, 10 diffusers for hand wash and sanitisers, books, safety kits, and toiletries.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) on Friday, March 20, 2026, set out a range of demand-side actions that governments, businesses and households can take to alleviate the economic impacts on consumers of the disruptions to oil markets stemming from the war in the Middle East.
The conflict has triggered the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market, with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries around 20% of global oil consumption, reduced to a trickle. Around 20 million barrels per day of crude oil and oil products typically transit the Strait.
A shift from private cars to buses and trains is one of the options put forward to reduce oil demand
The loss of these flows has tightened markets significantly, pushing crude oil prices above $100 per barrel and driving even sharper increases in refined products such as diesel, jet fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Restoring transit through the Strait of Hormuz remains essential to stabilise global energy markets. In the meantime, countries are acting on both supply and demand. On March 11, IEA member countries agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves – the largest stock draw in the Agency’s history. However, supply-side measures alone cannot fully offset the scale of the disruption. Addressing demand is a critical and immediate tool to reduce pressure consumers by improving affordability and supporting energy security.
A new IEA report identifies 10 measures that can be implemented quickly by governments, businesses and households. These actions focus primarily on road transport, which accounts for around 45% of global oil demand, but also cover aviation, cooking and industry. Widespread adoption, where possible, would amplify their global impact and help cushion the shock.
“The war in the Middle East is creating a major energy crisis, including the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market. In the absence of a swift resolution, the impacts on energy markets and economies are set to become more and more severe,” said IEA Executive Director, Fatih Birol.
Birol added: “As the global energy authority, the IEA is doing everything we can to support the stability of energy markets. We have recently launched the largest ever release of IEA emergency oil stocks – and I am in close contact with key governments around the world, including major energy producers and consumers, as part of our international energy diplomacy.
“In addition to this, today’s report provides a menu of immediate and concrete measures that can be taken on the demand side by governments, businesses and households to shelter consumers from the impacts of this crisis. It draws on the IEA’s decades of expertise in this field and highlights measures that have been proven to work in practice in different contexts. I believe it will be of use to governments around the world, in both advanced and developing economies, in these challenging times.”
In road transport, a combination of behavioural and policy measures can deliver rapid savings. Many of these measures have been implemented in the past and are again being considered in several countries. Working from home where possible reduces fuel demand for commuting, while lowering highway speed limits by at least 10 kilometres per hour cuts fuel use across both passenger vehicles and freight.
Encouraging a shift from private cars to public transport, alongside measures such as alternating private vehicle access in large cities, can further reduce congestion and fuel consumption. Additional gains can be achieved through car sharing and more efficient driving practices, as well as improved efficiency in freight and delivery operations.
Beyond road transport, targeted actions can ease pressure on fuels that are particularly constrained. A reduction in air travel where alternatives exist can significantly lower demand for jet fuel. Measures to shift LPG use away from transport and towards essential applications, such as cooking, can help protect vulnerable households. At the same time, encouraging the uptake of alternative clean cooking solutions where feasible can reduce reliance on LPG and avoid a return to more polluting fuels that harm people’s health.
Industry also has an important role to play. In countries where LPG supplies are under pressure, facilities may be able to switch from LPG to alternative feedstocks such as naphtha. This can free up LPG supply for urgent uses – and can be complemented by short-term efficiency and maintenance measures that can deliver additional reductions in oil consumption.
Governments can lead by example through public sector measures, regulatory action and targeted incentives while ensuring that support for consumers is timed appropriately and focused on those most in need. Experience from previous crises shows that well-targeted support mechanisms are more effective and fiscally sustainable than broad-based subsidies.
While the demand-side measures highlighted in the report cannot match the scale of disrupted supply, they can play a meaningful role in lowering costs for consumers, reducing markets strains and preserving fuels for essential uses until normal flows resume.
The IEA also published anoverviewof all demand-related policy measures that have been announced by governments since the start of the crisis. This shows many countries are already acting to protect consumers through conservation and financial measures similar to those discussed in the report.
Immediate actions to reduce demand:
1. Work from home where possible Displaces oil use from commuting, particularly where jobs are suitable for remote work.
2. Reduce highway speed limits by at least 10 km/h Lower speeds reduce fuel use for passenger cars, vans and trucks.
3. Encourage public transport A shift from private cars to buses and trains can quickly reduce oil demand.
4. Alternate private car access to roads in large cities on different days Number-plate rotation schemes can reduce congestion and fuel-intensive driving.
5. Increase car sharing and adopt efficient driving practices Higher car occupancy and eco-driving can lower fuel consumption quickly.
6. Efficient driving for road commercial vehicles and delivery of goods Better driving practices, vehicle maintenance and load optimisation can cut diesel use.
7. Divert LPG use from transport Shifting bi-fuel and converted vehicles from LPG to gasoline can preserve LPG for cooking and other essential needs.
8. Avoid air travel where alternative options exist Reducing business flights can quickly ease pressure on jet fuel markets.
9. Where possible, switch to other modern cooking solutions Encouraging electric cooking and other modern options can reduce reliance on LPG.
10. Leverage flexibility with petrochemical feedstocks and implement short-term efficiency and maintenance measures Industry can help free up LPG for essential uses while reducing oil consumption through quick operational improvements.
The COP30 Presidency on Thursday, March 19, 2026, released the Executive Report of the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Belém, last November, outlining the key political, normative, and implementation outcomes and the commitments that will guide the Presidency’s work in the months ahead to sustain momentum for global climate action.
COP30 marked a decisive moment for international climate cooperation. The conference brought together delegations from nearly every country in the world and resulted in the adoption of 56 decisions by consensus, reaffirming Parties’ commitment to advancing global climate action. More than a single event, the COP was conceived as part of a continuous process of mobilisation to translate international commitments into tangible results for people and the planet.
André Corrêa do Lago, COP30 President. Photo credit: Kiara Worth | UN Climate Change
As part of this effort, the COP30 Presidency committed to developing Roadmaps designed to support the implementation of decisions and guide global engagement in key strategic areas.
These include:
The COP30 Presidency Roadmap for Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in a Just, Orderly and Equitable Manner, which will compile evidence, identify opportunities, and support international dialogue on pathways for this transition.
COP 30 Presidency Roadmap for Halting and Reversing Deforestation and Forest Degradation by 2030, reinforcing the role of forests in climate action and sustainable development.
The Presidency is also continuing work to consolidate the Baku to Belém Roadmap, aimed at mobilizing US$1.3 trillion in climate finance, enabling the implementation of the Paris Agreement’s goals, particularly in developing countries.
Another central priority is advancing the adaptation agenda, fostering dialogue among governments, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to expand financing and support the implementation of concrete adaptation actions across regions.
COP30 also strengthened the role of the Global Climate Action Agenda and launched the Global Implementation Accelerator, initiatives designed to mobilise governments, the private sector, cities, and civil society to accelerate the implementation of national climate commitments and adaptation plans.
For the COP30 Presidency, the outcomes achieved in Belém demonstrate that international cooperation remains essential to addressing climate change. At the same time, they reaffirm that climate conferences are milestones within a much broader process that requires the continued engagement of governments, businesses, civil society institutions, and communities worldwide.
“As we prepare for the next rounds of dialogue and for close collaboration on the road to Antalya, we invite you to read this report not only as a record of what has been achieved, but also as a call to sustain momentum, honor our shared responsibilities, and carry forward the spirit of mutirão that Belém inspired.
“The decisions adopted at the conference should serve as catalysts for economic transformation, for building more resilient societies, and for restoring ecosystems. The journey continues – and it will require the commitment of us all,” said André Corrêa do Lago, COP30 President, and Ana Toni, COP30 CEO.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed Bond Chemicals Industries Ltd. in Oyo over violations of national environmental regulations.
Mrs. Nwamaka Ejiofor, NESREA’s Assistant Director of Press, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Abuja.
Ejiofor said the enforcement action followed a public complaint, which was corroborated by independent verification, regarding the discharge of untreated effluent into the environment.
Officials of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) during an enforcement operation
She explained that a compliance inspection conducted by officials of the agency’s South-West Zonal Office on Feb. 18 revealed that the facility lacked a functional Effluent Treatment Plant.
According to her, the company was discharging untreated wastewater with offensive odour directly into the environment, in contravention of applicable environmental standards and regulations.
“Following the inspection, the facility was duly notified and issued directives to immediately abate the environmental nuisance by installing and operating an effluent treatment system in line with regulatory requirements, and also to obtain the required permits.
“However, a follow-up inspection revealed that the facility failed to comply with the agency’s directives.
“Consequently, NESREA, in exercise of its statutory mandate, sealed the facility to prevent further environmental degradation and to safeguard public health,” she said.
The statement quotes Director-General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, as reiterating that all industry operators must fully comply with environmental regulations, including the installation and proper operation of pollution control equipment.
It added that the agency would intensify monitoring and enforcement activities nationwide and would not hesitate to apply appropriate sanctions against violators.
NESREA stated that the facility would remain shut until full compliance with its directives is achieved, adding that further investigations and compliance monitoring are ongoing.
The Health Services and Environment Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has clarified its mandate on public and environmental health regulations in the nation’s capital.
The clarification is contained in a statement obtained from Mr. Idris Suleiman, a legal officer of the FCTA attached to the Public Health Department.
Idris said the clarification became necessary following recent concerns over compliance with public and environmental health regulations by some stakeholders.
FCTA
Members of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), FCT chapter, on March 18, 2026, staged a protest at the Wuse Zone 2 Magistrate Court, alleging multiple taxation.
The association accused the FCTA Public Health Department and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of imposing overlapping charges on private schools.
NAPPS, through its lawyer, Mr. Alexander Ogboo, had called on both authorities to harmonise their roles and clarify which agency was responsible for collecting such levies.
Responding, Idris stated that the Public Health Department of the FCTA is statutorily mandated to oversee and implement public and environmental health services across the FCT.
He explained that, in line with this responsibility, demand notices were issued to regulated premises, including private schools.
These notices were to facilitate services such as premises inspection, certification of fitness for use or continued use, as well as public health pest control and disinfection.
“It has come to our attention that some schools operating under the platform of NAPPS, AMAC chapter, have declined to comply with these notices.
“Their position, as conveyed by a representative, indicates a preference to engage solely with AMAC authorities on matters relating to public health services.
“For the avoidance of doubt, a subsisting judgment of the FCT High Court has affirmed that area councils, including AMAC, do not possess the legal authority to carry out key public and environmental health functions.
“Such functions include premises inspection, certification for habitation, and monitoring of continued use of facilities.
“These responsibilities fall squarely within the mandate of the FCTA Health Services and Environment Secretariat,” he said.
Idris added that the department had made several efforts to engage NAPPS leadership, including convening meetings to address the legal and public health implications of the matter.
He, however, noted that follow-up meetings scheduled by the department were not honoured, in spite of initial assurances from the association.
He emphasised that the issue was not one of multiple taxation but compliance with public health regulations aimed at safeguarding residents, especially school children.
According to him, non-compliance undermines disease prevention efforts and poses risks of infectious disease outbreaks within the FCT.
Idris advised private school proprietors and operators of regulated premises to comply with directives and demand notices issued by the secretariat.
He added that the FCTA remained committed to dialogue, collaboration, and enforcement of standards to ensure a safe and healthy environment.
He warned that the administration would not hesitate to take necessary legal and administrative actions to ensure compliance with its statutory mandate.
The United Kingdom and Nigeria have signed three landmark agreements during the State Visit of President Bola Tinubu, deepening cooperation on migration, border security and trade.
The agreements – two Memoranda of Understanding and a Statement of Intent – reflect both nations commitment to building a transparent, safe and mutually beneficial migration system, while removing barriers to trade and investment between the two countries. They were signed by UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, UK Trade Envoy Florence Eshalomi, and Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Nigeria’s Minister of Interior Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
For Nigeria, the agreements represent a significant step towards the socio-economic development President Tinubu has made central to his reform agenda. The business visa Statement of Intent removes trade barriers and creates new pathways for Nigerian and British businesses to access each other’s markets, a move Nigeria’s Interior Minister described as essential to building a trillion-dollar economy. Africa’s largest economy stands to benefit from deeper investment ties with the United Kingdom, one of the world’s leading financial centres.
For the United Kingdom, the agreements strengthen a migration partnership grounded in fairness and the rule of law. Nigeria will for the first time recognise UK Letters as valid identification, simplifying a shared administrative process and reflecting the trust both governments have built. Annual returns to Nigeria have nearly doubled to 1,150, part of a broader effort by both governments to maintain the integrity of their immigration systems.
Both countries have also committed to dismantling the international criminal networks that prey on victims in Nigeria and the UK alike. A new fraud fusion cell, bringing together law enforcement, banks, tech firms and communications companies from both countries, will enable rapid intelligence sharing to disrupt romance fraud, investment scams and cryptocurrency schemes that damage individuals and economies on both sides. Existing collaboration has already resulted in more than 400 arrests and £7.5 million seized, with joint National Crime Agency and Nigerian Police operations uncovering significant fraud networks.
UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said: “Nigeria is a vital partner for the UK. These agreements reflect a shared commitment to managing migration fairly and firmly, while opening up trade and investment opportunities that will benefit both our economies.”
UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said: “Anyone who abuses our systems, breaks our laws, or tries to cheat their way into Britain will be stopped and removed. Today’s agreements are another step in our mission to restore order to the border by ensuring those with no right to be here are swiftly removed. Nigeria is a key partner in this work, as the UK’s largest African visa market and home to thousands of Nigerians who have built their lives here.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said: “This partnership is a testament to our shared determination to build a migration system that is safe, orderly, and mutually beneficial. Hopefully this strengthened partnership will be a template for other bilateral understandings.”
UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, said: “These agreements mark a significant step forward in the UK-Nigeria partnership, built on mutual respect, shared interests, and a commitment to working together on the issues that matter most to both our countries.”
Separately, on the margins of the State Visit, UK Home Office Minister for State Rt. Hon. Lord Hanson of Flint met with Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice Chief Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu at Lancaster House, London on Thursday, March 19.
The meeting, held almost a year on from the signing of the UK-Nigeria Memorandum of Understanding on fraud prevention, provided an opportunity to review progress under the agreement and discuss next steps in the two countries’ shared effort to combat fraud.
When people think about water insecurity in Africa, they often picture drought, failing rains, or dry riverbeds. They talk about infrastructure gaps, climate shocks and food insecurity. All of that matters. But one of the most important dimensions of the water crisis is still too often treated as secondary: Gender.
Across Africa, women and girls are disproportionately affected when water systems fail. In many communities, they are the ones who walk long distances to fetch water, manage household use, care for children and the sick, and keep food production going under increasingly difficult conditions. When water is scarce or far away, the costs are not only physical. Time is lost. Girls miss school. Women lose opportunities to earn income, rest, participate in community decisions, or build more secure futures.
Patience Wussah, (44 years) and her daughter Mary Pecku (24 years) farm on their ancestral lands in Ada, using irrigation as their main means of watering their plants
But to tell only that part of the story is to miss the larger truth.
Women are not only among those most affected by water insecurity. They are also among the most important actors in solving it. Across the continent, women are managing irrigation, restoring landscapes, supporting household food systems, adopting new energy solutions, and helping communities adapt to climate stress. If Africa wants more resilient water systems, more inclusive growth and more effective climate adaptation, then women and girls must be placed at the centre of water solutions, not at the margins.
This is not simply a question of fairness. It is a question of effectiveness.
Research and field experience continue to show that water insecurity and gender inequality reinforce one another. In Ghana, for example, women play central roles in agriculture and natural resource management, yet many still face barriers to land, finance, agricultural inputs and decision-making.
Traditional land tenure systems often limit women’s control over productive resources, even when they are carrying much of the responsibility for food production and family well-being. Water scarcity deepens this inequality, because women are often expected to absorb the daily burden of finding and managing water for domestic and livelihood needs.
The result is a cycle that holds communities back. When women lack access to water, land, tools and influence, productivity suffers. Family nutrition suffers. Resilience suffers. And when policies recognize women’s participation but fail to change the structural conditions that exclude them, progress remains limited.
Evidence from gender and social inclusion work in landscape management shows that while policy frameworks may acknowledge the importance of inclusion, they often stop short of ensuring equitable access to resources, services and decision-making power.
That is why inclusion must go beyond representation. Participation without power is not transformation.
For donors, governments and development institutions, this should be understood clearly: investing in women in water systems is not a side issue. It is a high-return development strategy. Gender-responsive water investments can improve agricultural productivity, reduce time poverty, strengthen household well-being, support girls’ education and build stronger local institutions. In an era of climate disruption, they also increase adaptive capacity where it is needed most.
This becomes even more urgent in fragile and displacement-affected settings.
Across Africa, many refugee settlements are located in dryland and ecologically fragile areas already facing erratic rainfall, degraded soils and low vegetation cover. Refugees often settle alongside host communities that are themselves coping with limited land, water and energy resources.
Under these conditions, pressure on shared resources can quickly deepen vulnerability and tension. But these contexts also reveal something important: when women and youth are equipped with practical, locally adapted skills, they can help transform fragile systems into more resilient ones.
Recent work by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and partners in refugee settings in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda has shown the value of circular bioeconomy approaches that place women’s needs and experiences at the centre. Women learned to grow food at home, integrate trees into farming systems, use sustainable cooking methods, build stoves from local clay and make fuel briquettes from organic waste and locally available biomass.
These are not abstract interventions. They are practical solutions that improve food security, reduce pressure on natural resources, support cleaner energy and open pathways for income generation for both refugees and host communities.
Just as importantly, they strengthen social cohesion. When projects invest in local champions, include both refugee and neighboring communities, and tailor training to age, language, culture and daily responsibilities, they help shift the narrative. Refugees are no longer seen only as people in need, but also as part of the solution. That is the kind of long-term development thinking Africa increasingly needs.
This is especially relevant as some settlements evolve from temporary camps into more permanent communities. Humanitarian response alone is no longer enough. We need approaches that support livelihoods, ecological restoration, local governance and inclusive planning. Water sits at the heart of all of these.
So what should happen next?
Governments should integrate gender more meaningfully across water, agriculture, climate and land-use policy, with concrete commitments on access, leadership and accountability. Donors should prioritise investments that support women not only as beneficiaries, but as farmers, technicians, entrepreneurs, organisers and decision-makers. And development actors should back approaches that are locally grounded, climate-smart and designed to last beyond a single project cycle.
At IWMI, we see every day that when women are trusted, trained and supported, the benefits extend far beyond water. Households become more food secure. Communities become more resilient. Resource use becomes more sustainable. Social cohesion improves. Opportunity grows.
Where water flows, equality grows.
This World Water Day, Africa has an opportunity to move beyond rhetoric and invest in water solutions that are not only technically sound, but socially transformative. Putting women and girls at the heart of those solutions is not just the right thing to do. It is the smartest development decision we can make.
Kehinde Ogunjobi is the IWMI Country Representative for Ghana covering West and Central Africa, leading partnerships and research uptake on water security, climate resilience and inclusive agricultural development across the region
Since time immemorial, forests have been a vital pillar for human sustenance. Covering about 32% of the Earth’s land surface, or about 4.14 billion hectares, forests provide critical ecosystem services including food, medicine, fresh water, air purification, and climate regulation among others.
These ecosystems are home to about 80% of global terrestrial biodiversity, including nearly two thirds of all bird species. Further, 1.6 billion people around the world rely on forests for livelihoods.
According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the forestry sector employs about 33 million people worldwide, and for every 100 jobs in the sector, an additional 73 jobs are supported across the broader economy, underlining its importance.
George Ilebo, Africa Forests Programme Coordinator, BirdLife International
However, forests are disappearing at an alarming rate. According to the 2025 FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment, an estimated 489 million hectares of forest has been lost worldwide through deforestation since 1990. Between 2015-2025, the deforestation rate was estimated at 10.9 million hectares per year. Africa has the second highest deforestation rate globally, after South America. Since 2015, the continent has lost about 2.96 million hectares per year. Major drivers of deforestation on the continent include expansion of subsistence and commercial agriculture, infrastructure development, and mining.
Every year, the world celebrates International Day of Forests (IDF) on 21st March, to raise awareness on the importance of these critical ecosystems. This year’s IDF theme Forests and Economies highlights the vital role forests play in supporting livelihoods and driving economic prosperity. Yet too often, development decisions treat forests and economies as competing interests.
Short-term extractive approaches can produce headline Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth while hollowing out the very natural capital that supports sustained prosperity. This results in long-lasting economic consequences including declining crop yields leading to reduced household incomes and food insecurity, higher disaster recovery costs, lost market opportunities, and deeper poverty.
Thus, to protect forests, requires concerted efforts from governments, private sector, local communities, civil society, and the academia. Healthy forests are not a luxury or a backdrop to development, but rather they are infrastructure that sustain the economies on which communities and nations depend. Recognizing this is not just an environmental argument; it is an economic imperative.
Across Africa, BirdLife International the world’s largest Nature Conservation partnership is working with partners to protect and conserve forests through restoration; scaling of locally led Nature‑based Solutions (NbS) that generate jobs and incomes. BirdLife partners are involved in the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative AFR100 Initiative which aims at addressing deforestation to fight climate change while boosting food security and improving livelihoods for local communities.
In Mount Bero, Guinea and Rusizi, Rwanda, over 2,000 hectares of degraded forest land restored by communities is improving soil productivity, increasing climate resilience and expanding tree-based income opportunities. In Burkina Faso, an initiative dubbed Birds, Bees and Business (BBB) promoted the sustainable use of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and beekeeping, becoming a stable source of income for local communities. This further demonstrates that sustainable exploitation of NTFPs can provide a pathway for economic development, while improving access to natural resources, and promoting conservation efforts.
Close collaborations with local communities who are custodians of these forests is a critical element of this work. In the Guinean Forests of West Africa, BirdLife and Partners have resulted strengthened protection of 15 Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs); over 500,000 hectares of forests under improved management; and building capacity of 25 local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in sustainable forest management.
In Liberia and Sierra Leone, BirdLife is working with local communities to promote ecotourism as a strategy to conserve the 370,000‑ha of Gola Forest, which straddles Sierra Leone and Liberia, thus improving livelihoods for local communities while enhancing conservation. Further, we are working with the private sector to promote green value chains and responsible sourcing of agricultural commodities to support landscape restoration and the livelihoods of smallholders.
These forest protection and conservation initiatives are not endpoints but proof points: demonstrating what is possible when investment, innovation, and community leadership converge around nature. On this International Day of Forests, as we celebrate the abundant ways forests fuel economies, there is need for a mindset shift from viewing forests as a resource to be exhausted for short-term gain, to valuing them as foundational assets that deliver sustained returns: food security, jobs, climate resilience and cultural heritage.
With the right policies, financing, and partnerships, forest-based economies can be engines of resilient, inclusive and sustainable economic development across Africa. This International Day of Forests, let us commit to making forest economies a reality: for people, for nature, and for posterity.
George Ilebo is Africa Forests Programme Coordinator at BirdLife International. Email: george.ilebo@birdlife.org
