H.E. Mr. Kocou Armand Houanye, the Executive Secretary of Niger Basin Authority (NBA) together with his team were warmly received this morning by H.E. Mr Musa S. Mamman, the Secretary General of Nigeria – Niger Joint Commission for Cooperation (NNJC) and his team in his office this morning 10th of February, 2026.

The purpose of the courtesy visit was center on knowing each other, exchange of ideas and learning from each other on areas of common interest that will foster growth and sustainable development among the NBA and the NNJC, noting that Nigeria and Niger are two (2) out of the nine (9 Niger Basin riparian countries.

In his opening speech, H.E. Musa S. Mamman warmly welcomed the delegation of H.E. Mr. Kocou Armand Houanye and gave a brief note on the core mandates and mission of the NNJCC. He reiterated that the NNJC is a key initiative aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Niger. Signed during a diplomatic engagement in Niamey, the communiqué emphasizes the importance of cooperation in various sectors, including security, agriculture, shared water resources management, economy, and infrastructure.
According to him, the Joint Commission serves as a framework to foster closer relations between the people and governments of Niger and Nigeria, ensuring effective follow-up on priority projects and initiatives. He also intimates his visitors about the NNJC forthcoming event on appropriate measures to address security issues in both countries which is planned to be hosted in March 2026 in Sokoto State, Nigeria.

With regard to the statutory financial contributions of the two Joint Commission member countries; Ambassador Musa S. Mamman shared his experience and affirmed that intensive physical follow-up must be made to have a head way.

On his own side, H.E. Mr. Kocou Armand Houanye appreciated the NNJC Secretary General and his team for the warm reception despite a short notice for the meeting. He also made a summary background of the Niger Basin Authority, its geographical and hydrographical composition. He emphasized that the basin is endowed with abundant natural and water resources that need to be holistically developed and managed to have and sustain its maximum benefits.

H.E. Mr. Kocou Armand Houanye updated the gathering about on-going NBA institutional improvement plan and some developmental projects in the Niger Basin.
 
Accordingly, he noted that NBA and NNJC share some common areas thematic development that contribute to socio-economic and environmental improvement of the basin; this includes infrastructure development, hydro-power generation, food security, job creation and security improvement.
The NBA Executive Secretary and The NNJC Secretary General both jointly agreed the need for the two institutions to work together to effectively carried out their mandates for the betterment of the people and government of Nigeria and Niger and the Niger basin at large. The meeting lasted for 1hr: 20 minutes.

In the same vein, H.E. Mr. Kocou Armand Houanye, the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) Executive Secretary together with his team paid a courtesy visit to the Acting Ambassador of Nigeria in Niger Republic, H.E. Mr. Musa Musa Abubakar, mni.

According to H.E. Mr. Kocou Armand Houanye, the NBA Executive Secretary, he sincerely thanked H.E. Mr. Musa Musa Abubakar, mni, the Acting Ambassador of Nigeria in Niger Republic and his team for the warm reception. He also recalled his last year visit to the Ambassador of Nigeria in Niger Republic during his familiarization tour to some of NBA key institutions and partners on assumption of his office. He was grateful for the advice of the Ambassador to hold the next Conference of the NBA Summit of Heads of State and Government. According to the NBA Executive Secretary, this is in the pipeline for implementation as soon as possible!
Both the Acting Ambassador and the Executive Secretary shared some good ideas and experiences on how to better improve the livelihoods of people in Nigeria and other 8 NBA member States within the NBA mandate. Alignment of NBA programmes and projects to the national agenda of countries are part of strategic ways to have a better and improved collaborative and fruitful relationship with member countries which would snowball to regular financial contributions.
The Acting Ambassador of Nigeria in Niger Republic and the NBA Executive Secretary reiterated that programmes and projects that address issues relating to security, peace, stability, food security, energy security, environmental and economic improvement shall remain key NBA priorities.

In conclusion, the Acting Ambassador suggested that NBA should look as well into collaboration with some key individuals and private sectors that can make significant positive changes in the Niger Basin. NBA Executive Secretary recalled NBA missions and informed H.E. Mr. Musa Musa Abubakar, mni that NBA Projects and Programs respond to its member countries development needs.
H.E. Mr. Kocou Armand Houanye expressed his gratitude to H.E. Mr. Musa Musa Abubakar, mni and used the opportunity to remind him of joint visit to the government of Nigeria in Abuja, this year. The meeting lasted for about one hour.