Lake Chad Basin Commission appoints Amb. Ibrahim Babani as Executive Secretary

By: Zagazola Makama

The designation of Amb. Ibrahim Babani as the new Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) has sparked fresh expectations for stronger regional cooperation, environmental recovery and security stabilisation across the Lake Chad region.

Babani’s appointment was announced at the 71st Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the LCBC, held on March 6, 2026, in N’Djamena, Chad, where ministers and commissioners from member states deliberated on strategies to address the region’s pressing challenges.

The meeting, chaired by Mr Passale Kanabe Marcelin, Chad’s Minister of Water and Energy Resources and current Chairman of the LCBC Council of Ministers, brought together representatives of the commission’s member states, including Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Chad and the Central African Republic.

Nigeria was represented by Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation and First Commissioner of Nigeria to the LCBC, alongside Mrs Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Second Commissioner.

The Lake Chad Basin Commission remains one of Africa’s most important regional bodies, responsible for coordinating water resource management, environmental restoration and socio-economic development among countries sharing the Lake Chad Basin.

The basin supports more than 40 million people across the five member states, whose livelihoods depend largely on fishing, farming and pastoral activities linked to the shrinking lake.

Over the past decades, however, the region has faced severe environmental degradation, climate change impacts and the devastating effects of the ISWAP/Boko Haram insurgency, which has displaced millions and disrupted economic activities. These complex challenges have made the role of the LCBC increasingly strategic in driving recovery, stabilisation and resilience across the basin.

Stakeholders believe Babani’s emergence as Executive Secretary comes at a critical time when the commission is intensifying efforts to implement several large-scale regional programmes.

These include the Regional Strategy for Stabilisation, Recovery and Resilience (RS-SRR) for areas affected by Boko Haram violence, as well as projects aimed at ecological restoration and socio-economic reintegration of vulnerable populations.

During the meeting, commissioners reviewed progress in implementing the strategy and emphasised the need to accelerate key initiatives, including the development of a regional transitional justice policy and improved coordination of stabilisation interventions.

They also recommended the organisation of the sixth edition of the Governors’ Forum in Niger, alongside meetings of traditional rulers and civil society organisations to strengthen community-based recovery efforts.

Prior to his appointment, the incoming Executive Secretary of the LCBC, Amb. Ibrahim Babani, served as Director of External Affairs (DEA) at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and also doubles as Head of Mission (HoM) of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), bringing extensive security and diplomatic experience to his new role.

Babani’s leadership will therefore be critical in coordinating these initiatives and ensuring that they translate into tangible benefits for affected communities. Another priority expected to dominate Babani’s tenure is the restoration of the Lake Chad ecosystem, which has shrunk drastically over the past half century due to climate change, drought and unsustainable water use.

At the session, commissioners reviewed progress on the Inter-Basin Water Transfer Project, a major initiative designed to replenish the lake by transferring water from other basins.

The Council of Ministers commended the LCBC Executive Secretariat for successfully mobilising funding from the African Development Bank for the project and urged faster implementation of technical support programmes aimed at restoring the lake’s ecological and economic functions. Environmental experts believe that restoring the lake is crucial for reducing poverty, preventing conflicts over natural resources and addressing some of the root causes of insecurity in the region.

The Ministers also reviewed progress on the Lake Chad Region Recovery and Development Project (PROLAC) and encouraged continued engagement with the World Bank to secure financing for a second phase of the initiative.

Similarly, they called for further advocacy with the African Development Bank to support the second phase of the Project to Support the Socio-Economic Reintegration of Vulnerable Groups in the Lake Chad Basin (PARSEBALT).

Both initiatives focus on rebuilding infrastructure, supporting livelihoods and reintegrating vulnerable groups affected by years of insurgency and displacement. These programmes complement military efforts against extremist groups by addressing the social and economic conditions that fuel instability.

Despite its strategic importance, the LCBC continues to face financial constraints that could hamper implementation of its programmes.

During the session, commissioners raised concerns about the accumulation of unpaid contributions by member states and urged governments to settle their arrears and ensure regular payment of statutory dues.

They also mandated the chairman of the Council of Ministers to escalate the issue to the highest political authorities within member states to guarantee sustainable funding for the commission’s activities.

The council approved the commission’s 2026 Annual Work Plan and Budget, estimated at 15.13 billion CFA francs, with over 12.63 billion CFA francs allocated to development programmes and 2.50 billion CFA francs for operational costs.

The meeting also adopted key annexes to the Lake Chad Basin Water Charter, including frameworks governing the management of water infrastructure and procedures for notification of planned measures affecting shared water resources.

Commissioners further endorsed a Five-Year Investment Plan and directed the Executive Secretariat to organise a donors’ roundtable to mobilise international support.

Babani’s leadership comes at a time when the Lake Chad region is at a crossroads. While military operations have significantly weakened insurgent groups in recent years, millions of people still face humanitarian challenges, environmental degradation and fragile livelihoods.

The effectiveness of the LCBC in coordinating development, environmental restoration and stabilisation initiatives could determine whether the region moves toward lasting peace and prosperity.

The Council of Ministers concluded the meeting by expressing appreciation to development partners for their continued support and announcing that the next budgetary session will be held in Bangui, Central African Republic.

For many stakeholders in the Lake Chad Basin, the appointment of Babani represents not only a change in leadership but also a renewed opportunity to accelerate recovery, strengthen regional cooperation and secure the future of one of Africa’s most vital ecosystems.

Zagazola is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad regional

Lake Chad Basin Commission appoints Amb. Ibrahim Babani as Executive Secretary