The Federal Government has approved ₦1.5 billion for the construction of a new earth dam in Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State, in a move aimed at expanding water access and unlocking economic opportunities for young people.
Joseph Utsev, minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, disclosed this on Tuesday during an inspection of the proposed project site in Bela community, Kano. He said the dam is expected to be completed within 36 months and will support both agricultural production and domestic water supply.
Utsev explained that the project goes beyond infrastructure development, describing it as part of a broader strategy to use water resources to stimulate livelihoods in states with large youth populations and strong agricultural traditions.
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“Kano already has significant water assets. What we are doing is strengthening their capacity to support productive activities such as irrigation, farming and other value chains that can engage young people meaningfully,” he said.
Kano currently has at least 22 dams spread across the state, many of which already support dry-season irrigation. However, Industry experts say much of their economic potential remains untapped. With improved planning and youth-focused interventions, these water bodies could support year-round cultivation of rice, vegetables and other high-value crops, reducing reliance on rain-fed farming.
Beyond crop production, inland fishing is also seen as a major opportunity. Several of the state’s dams can sustain fisheries, creating jobs not only for fishers but also for processors, transporters and traders.
The experts noted that with proper management, cold storage facilities and better market access, young entrepreneurs could build profitable businesses while improving the local food supply.
In his address at the occasion, Rabiu Bichi, the managing director, Hadejia-Jam’are River Basin Development Authority, said the Authority would oversee the execution of the project. He stressed that river basin authorities play a critical role in ensuring dams are integrated into broader agricultural and economic plans.
“Dams should not just be built and abandoned. They must be linked to farming systems, skills development and agribusiness opportunities, especially for young people,” he said.
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Experts argued that Kano is well positioned to become a regional hub for irrigated agriculture and inland fishing, provided there is a deliberate, youth-centred strategy that connects water infrastructure to training, credit and markets. With modern equipment and techniques, dams could serve as platforms for innovation rather than underutilised public assets.
During the same inspection tour, Utsev also visited Jigawa State for similar engagements aimed at improving water availability. The visits highlight the Federal Government’s wider push to use water infrastructure to drive food security, job creation and economic resilience across northern Nigeria.
As construction of the Bichi earth dam gets underway, expectations are high that the project will mark a turning point in how water resources are used in Kano—transforming them into tools for tackling youth unemployment and strengthening the state’s agricultural economy in the years ahead.
