A United Nations delegation has visited Bama in Borno State on Tuesday ahead of the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri, the State capital.
The delegation included Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS); Mr. Abdou Abarry, SRSG for the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), and Mr. Mohamed M. Fall, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria.
The visit aimed to assess progress in stabilisation, peacebuilding, and humanitarian efforts in Bama, a town heavily affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.
The officials acknowledged significant improvements, including joint efforts by the Nigerian government, the UN, and humanitarian partners to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) through humanitarian aid, livelihood programs, and initiatives promoting social cohesion and reintegration.
However, they also noted persistent challenges such as insecurity, climate-related threats, and limited access to basic services.
During their visit, the officials toured several intervention sites, including a livelihood skills center run by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and a UNICEF-supported social cohesion project at the Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS) camp.
They also visited a nutrition center supported by the World Food Programme (WFP), where malnourished children receive treatment, and a UNHCR/GISCOR Safe Space for women and adolescent girls. Additionally, they met with humanitarian organisations and paid a courtesy visit to the Shehu of Bama, Dr. Umar Kyari Umar El-Kanemi.
Reflecting on the progress made since his last visit to Bama eight years ago, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Malick Fall expressed optimism while calling for sustained support.
“I returned to Bama today, eight years since my last visit – which was a few months after it was liberated from the insurgency,” he said.
“A lot has changed since then, with marked improvement in the lives of people affected by the crisis. While there is still work to be done to address insecurity and its impact on civilians, I thank the Borno State authorities, donors, UN agencies, and partners for their commitment and dedication through this journey that has made Bama what it is today. I also call for sustained support to address the remaining challenges,” Fall stated.
Despite progress, Bama has remained vulnerable to attacks by non-state armed groups due to its proximity to the Sambisa Forest. This has hindered economic activities such as farming, fishing, and firewood collection, increasing reliance on humanitarian assistance.
The town’s challenges reflect the broader situation across the Lake Chad Basin, where 16 years of conflict have disrupted lives and livelihoods.
The upcoming Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum will focus on regional cooperation for stabilization, peacebuilding, and sustainable development to address these ongoing issues.
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