Lokoja Dialogue Addresses Water Security and Gender Issues

The Lokoja Dialogue convened multi-sector stakeholders in Abuja to mark World Water Day 2026, focusing on advancing water security and gender solutions. The event, scheduled for November 2025, aims to strengthen cross-sector collaboration and align policies to mobilize investments.

Mr. Polli Alakija, the convenor, emphasized that water challenges are not abstract but affect communities daily across Nigeria.

Dr. Deborah Banko Odoh, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (FMBEP), delivered a keynote address highlighting the central role of water in Nigeria's development trajectory.

The event also featured discussions on the intersection of water access and gender insecurity, with contributions from various stakeholders, including Hajia Hafsat Koller from Yobe State. Ms.

Elsi Attafuah from the UN addressed the global implications of water access disparities. The dialogue aims to translate local knowledge into actionable insights for national planning and resource allocation.