To address recurrent flooding triggered by water releases from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam, the Nigerian government has announced plans to construct the Datsin Hausa Dam in Adamawa State.
The project, revealed by Water Resources and Sanitation Minister Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, aims to act as a protective barrier against overflow from the neighboring dam while harnessing resources for agriculture and energy.
Speaking at the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing, Utsev emphasized ongoing efforts to safeguard communities, noting that design studies for the Datsin Hausa Dam are finalized. The initiative now advances to the procurement phase, with plans to engage a transaction advisor to oversee construction.
“We are carrying out the study and design of several dams in Nigeria, among which I want to specifically mention the Datsin Hausa Dam in Adamawa,” Utsev stated.
“We are very, very concerned about the dam because there are releases from another dam that comes in. When this water comes, it affects the entire country.”
He highlighted the dam’s dual purpose: mitigating flood risks and supporting development. “When this is reconstructed, it will act as a buffer dam to the Lagdo Dam that will curtail the water that comes out. This water, we intend that it will be used for irrigation because we have a mass of land over there that we can use this dam to irrigate our country. We are also going to use this dam for water supply in addition to the hydropower development… to provide additional hydropower source for our national needs.”
The minister further disclosed approved funding to repair Alau Dam in Borno State, which previously caused significant damage after sustaining structural failures.
The Datsin Hausa project reflects Nigeria’s broader strategy to convert ecological challenges into opportunities for infrastructure growth, aiming to bolster flood resilience, agricultural productivity, and energy security.
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