University of Maiduguri Hosts Groundbreaking Symposium on Agrarian Sustainability in the Lake Chad Basin

In a significant academic collaboration, the University of Maiduguri hosted the first-ever International Symposium on the Sustainability of Agrarian Societies in the Lake Chad Basin. Held on May 7th and 8th, 2024, this pioneering event addressed critical issues facing the region.

The symposium is a major initiative of the #SustainabilityLakeChad Project, led by Professor Frederi Viens from Rice University's Department of Statistics and Dr. Philip Ernst, a Royal Society Wolfson Fellow at Imperial College London. Supported by grants from The British Academy and The Wolfson Foundation, their research focuses on understanding and promoting the sustainability of agrarian communities around Lake Chad.

Professor Aliyu Shugaba, Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, opened the symposium by highlighting the necessity for collaborative efforts among government, academic institutions, and the private sector to enhance Nigeria's agricultural landscape. He stressed the importance of such interdisciplinary approaches in tackling the region’s agricultural challenges.

Professor Viens challenged the prevailing narrative about Lake Chad’s water levels, emphasizing the need for accurate data and deeper understanding. "It's widely believed that Lake Chad is shrinking rapidly. Our project aims to verify these claims and assess how the variability of the lake impacts local agrarian societies. What adaptive measures do these communities use to sustain their livelihoods?" he queried.

The event featured insightful presentations from a variety of experts. Professor Ibrahim Goni, a hydrology specialist at the University of Maiduguri, clarified that although Lake Chad's levels have dropped significantly since the mid-20th century due to severe droughts, recent years have seen a recovery in water levels, aided by groundwater recharge. Other notable speakers, including Mairo Mandara, Muinat Bello, Daniel Musa Gwary, and Baba Gana Jugudum Kabir, discussed their findings on sustainable agricultural practices and the current state of the lake.

A key component of the symposium was an interactive session with community stakeholders. This session provided a platform for local residents to share their experiences and challenges, offering invaluable insights to researchers. The engagement allowed for a productive exchange of knowledge, facilitating future research and interventions directly informed by the community’s needs.

This inaugural symposium, praised for its comprehensive approach and collaborative spirit, was made possible through the support of Rice University, The British Academy, Wolfson Fellowship, Imperial College London, and Thels Impact Consulting and Research in Nigeria. The event marks a promising step towards enhancing the resilience and sustainability of agrarian societies in the Lake Chad Basin.