The European Union (EU) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) have officially kicked off the second phase of the RESILAC project—RESILAC 2—an ambitious five-year program aimed at revitalizing the Lake Chad region. Valued at N70 billion (40 million Euros), the initiative was launched Thursday in Abuja.
RESILAC 2 is focused on strengthening community resilience, restoring livelihoods, and improving access to essential services for about 500,000 vulnerable people, particularly those affected by conflict in Nigeria, Cameroon, and Chad.
Led by Action Against Hunger (ACF), Care, and other partners, the project supports displaced populations, refugees, and host communities by generating employment in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. It also aims to reinforce local governance and empower civil society and NGOs.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, called the initiative a vital step toward sustainable development. “This project supports the most vulnerable, especially internally displaced persons, by creating better livelihood opportunities,” he stated.
He noted that RESILAC 2 builds on the achievements of the first phase, expanding its scope and impact with new focus areas and beneficiaries.
In Nigeria, the project will directly benefit three Local Government Areas in Borno State, while also targeting northern Cameroon and Chad’s Lake Province.
Ambassador Mamman Nuhu, Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, applauded the project’s alignment with the Regional Stabilization Strategy, which has been in place for six years. He stressed that RESILAC helps restore livelihoods affected by the Boko Haram crisis.
Encouragingly, Nuhu also shared good news on the environment: “Lake Chad is no longer drying up. Since the 1980s, the lake has been recovering and reached 16,000 square kilometers two years ago.”
Andualem Fekadu, Deputy Country Director of Action Against Hunger, highlighted the success of the initial 2018–2022 RESILAC phase, particularly in governance and social cohesion. He emphasized the need for adaptive, innovative solutions to meet current and future challenges.
Representing Nigeria’s Federal Government, Vitalis Emeka Obi, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, commended the initiative’s inclusive design. He underscored the importance of cooperation between local NGOs, civil society, and research institutions.
He concluded by emphasizing the need to address climate risks and ensure ongoing humanitarian support across the region.
RESILAC 2 marks a significant milestone in regional efforts to restore peace, economic stability, and sustainable development in the Lake Chad Basin.
