The European Union (EU) and the French Development Agency (AFD) have launched the second phase of the Inclusive Economic and Social Recovery around Lake Chad (RESILAC) project, a €40 million intervention targeting 36,000 vulnerable Nigerians as part of a broader effort to support recovery and development in the Lake Chad region.

The project, officially unveiled on Thursday in Abuja, aims to reach 118,000 direct beneficiaries and over 500,000 households across Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon over a five-year period. The initiative is designed to strengthen resilience, foster social cohesion, and promote economic recovery in communities affected by conflict and climate shocks.

The second phase of RESILAC is being implemented by a consortium led by Action Against Hunger, in partnership with CARE, Groupe URD, and the CCFD-Terre Solidaire network, alongside 13 civil society organizations, sub-regional bodies, and national authorities.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Emeka Vitali, described the project as a timely and strategic response to the developmental and humanitarian challenges in the Lake Chad area.

“The significance of this initiative cannot be overstated. It represents not only a collaboration among various stakeholders, but also a unified response to the pressing challenges faced by the communities in this area,” Vitali said.

He commended the EU and AFD for their commitment and financial support, noting that the project aligns with Nigeria’s broader goals of strengthening social protection, improving livelihoods, and supporting displaced and marginalized populations.

The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, and other donor representatives also expressed confidence in the project’s ability to make a tangible difference in the region. They noted that for years, the Lake Chad region has been plagued by insecurity, environmental degradation, and mass displacement, affecting the well-being and livelihoods of millions.

In response, RESILAC was launched in 2018 to address these challenges through targeted interventions in health, education, water and sanitation, territorial governance, and livelihood creation. RESILAC Phase 1 ended in 2022, and the second phase seeks to consolidate those gains and expand the project’s scope.

RESILAC 2 will focus particularly on three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Borno State, Nigeria, with a strong emphasis on supporting women, children, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The project will also promote sustainable job creation, cross-border trade, and agro-sylvo-pastoral production, while enhancing coordination among regional actors through the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC).

Project stakeholders noted that RESILAC 2 is designed to deliver a more comprehensive and inclusive response, building on the lessons of Phase 1 while adapting to the evolving realities of the region.

With the backing of international partners and the Nigerian government, the initiative is expected to catalyse long-term recovery and contribute to lasting peace and stability in one of Africa’s most fragile regions.