Maiduguri (Nigeria): The Federal Government has expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved by the second phase of the Inclusive Economic and Social Recovery around Lake Chad (RESILAC) intervention project.
Dr Sampson Ebimaro, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, made this known during the 2nd National Steering Committee meeting of stakeholders on the RESILAC project 2 in Maiduguri.
The RESILAC 2, which was co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the French Development Agency (FDA), the project is being executed by Action Against Hunger and CARE, among other civil society organisations.
The project targets 118,000 beneficiaries from the Republics of Nigeria, Cameroon, and Chad, including the 36,000 who will benefit from Borno and Yobe.
Ebimaro, who is also the Chairman of the National Steering Committee, said the field visit by stakeholders had offered them a first glimpse of the progress made in implementing the programme.
The visit earlier today provided valuable insight into how interventions and shaping lives foster economic opportunity and hope among conflict-affected communities.
“More importantly, it has provided an opportunity to identify and address some ultimate areas for better outcomes while also highlighting key aspects for successful intervention and long-term sustainability.
“This tangible result and lessons underscore the effectiveness of collaboration among governments, donors, implementing partners and the enduring resilience of the people of the Lake Chad region.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, remains committed to sustaining and strengthening this partnership.
“Our collective objective is to align humanitarian and development efforts with national priorities, particularly in the areas of livelihood to recovery, social cohesion and peace building,” the Chairman, who, Mr Abdullahi Yakubu, a Deputy Director and Head of Bilateral Economic Cooperation in the Ministry, represented.
He said that the Ministry would continue to promote a comprehensive approach to resilience building, ensuring that the programme was integrated within the broader national framework for sustainable development.
Ebimaro stated that since the official launch of the inaugural meeting in April 2025, remarkable strategies have been implemented to strengthen local government structures, support youths and women in entering the entrepreneurial space, and promote inclusive recovery and environmental resilience.
“These efforts reflect the shared determination of every stakeholder to transform lives and bring good lasting peace across beneficiary communities,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Thierno Samba Diallo, Country Director of Action Against Hunger, Nigeria (ACF), stated that RESILAC was designed as a regional programme to address the root cause of poverty in a manner that supports the federal government, as well as Borno and Yobe states, in addressing it.
He said that the five-year programme was co-designed by the communities, local authorities, and state authorities. He was chaired by the federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning for implementation.
Diallo said that part of the implementation process involved stakeholders visiting to see the progress of the RESILAC programme’s activities.
Also speaking was Mr Isa Halidu, the Borno Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement, who advocated for stronger cooperation among stakeholders to achieve better results.
Halidu, who was represented by Habu Yajiwa, the Borno Focal Person for the Social Investment Programme, urged implementing partners to remain focused to achieve the programme’s objectives.