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Pioneering Progress Since 1964
The Lake Chad is the fourth largest lake in Africa (by area) after Lakes Victoria, Tanganyika and Nyassa. The area of Lake Chad, one of the largest bodies of freshwater in Africa, has shrunk by more than 90% over the past 58 years. When LCBC was established in 1964, the lake extended over more than 25,000km².
Lake Chad is the relic of an ancient Quaternary Sea, at an altitude of 280m and a depth that does not exceed 4 meters today (2012). It is crowded with islands and undergoes particularly intense evaporation
Fourth Largest Lake in Africa
Has shrunk by over 90% in 58 years
Lies at 280m above sea level.
Rainfall dropped from 320mm to 210mm.
Covered 25,000 km² in 1964.
Now covers less than 10% of its 1960s size.
Founding Fathers
The LCBC was created on May 22, 1964 by the Fort-Lamy Convention (now N’Djamena) by Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria, and Chad. The Founding Fathers of the Lake Chad Basin Commission
Ahmadou Ahidjo
(Cameroon) 24 Aug 1924
30 Nov 1989
Ahmadou Ahidjo
(Niger) 6 Jun 1916
23 April 1989
Ahmadou Ahidjo
(Chad) 15 Jun 1918
13 April 1973
Abubakar Tafa Balewa
(Nigeria) 1912
1966
Former Executive Secretaries
Mr. Omotayo Ogunsulire
(1965 – 1968)
Diplomat, Ambassador and Banker, 1st Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC). He was born in Onto State, Nigeria on 12th November 1931. Ambassador Ogunsulire retired from the Public Service as External Affairs Officier Special Grade (Grade level 17) in August 1976.
Mr. Muhammadou Aliyu Carpenter
(1968 – 1972)
Civil Servant, Diplomat, 2nd Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission. Ambassador Carpenter was born in Argungu in Sokoto State of Nigeria in November 1932. After his commendable service to the Commission, he served among other deputy General manager of Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authority.
Mr. Benson Owa Tonwe
(1972 -1976)
Civil Servant, Diplomat, 3rd Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission. Mr Tonwe was born on 16th April, 1933. His tenure was marked by the first disastrous drought in the Lake Chad Basin in 1973-1974.
Chef Festus Olufemi Olufolabi
(1976 -1983)
Civil Servant, Diplomat, 4th Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission. Chief Olufolabi was born at Otta in Ogun State of Nigeria on 18th February, 1931. He was since served in various capacities in the Ministry of External Affairs in Lagos & in Embassies abroad until his appointment as Executive Secretary of the Commission in June 1976.
Mr. Mustafa Sam
(1983 -1988)
He was the 5th Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC).
Mr. Abubakar Bobboi Jauro
(1988 -2000)
He was the 6th Executive Secretary of the (LCBC). He initiated the LCBC 2025 Vision which is a Strategic Planning Instrument for the rational management of the Water Resources of the Lake Chad Basin. He implemented the decision issued from 6th Summit of Heads of state & Government on the International Boundary demarcation in Lake Chad (1988-1990)
Engr. Muhammad Sani Adamu
(2000 – 2008)
He was born in kankiya (Nigeria) in katsina state on 7th January 1950.He is a Civil Engineer and was the 7th Executive Secretary of the (LCBC). He was Director General of Sokoto-Rima River basin before his appointment as the Executive Secretary of the LCBC. The development and adoption of the strategic Action Plan (SAP) of the LCBC and National Action Plans (NAP) in member States as well as the adoption of the first phase of the institutional Reform of the Commmission are also parts of his achievements.
Dr Abdullahi Umar Gandudje
(2009 – 2011)
He was the 8th Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC). Dr Abdullahi was born in Ganduje in Dawin Tofa commune in Kano State on 25th December 1949. He is a Specialist in public Administration. He was the architect of the effective implementation of the Institutional Reform of the LCBC and the launching of the feasibility study of the Inter-basin water transfer project. As a politician, he returned to Kano State where he has been elected as Deputy-Governor of Kano state for the second time.
Engr. Sanusi Imran Abdullahi
(2011 – 2018)
Engr. Sanusi was born in 1956 in Kano State of Nigeria. He Civil Engineering Degree from the famous Ahmadu Bello University of Zaria, a Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Tropical Public Health Engineering from University of Leeds –England in 1990, He has served in various capacity in many organizations and became the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer in Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority a position he held until he became the Executive Secretary, LCBC on the 10th day of May 2011.
Elders Deputy Executive Secretaries
Mr. Maurice Edjengueler
(1977 – 1985)
1st Assistant Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC). Mr Edjenguele was born in Nkam near Douala, Cameroon on 10th April 1934. He rose to the rank of Principal Inspector of Customs befor his appointment on 10th October,1978 as Assistant Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission.
Mr. Haman Djoda
(1988 – 1993)
2nd Assistant Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC).
Mr. Tam Lambert
(1996 – 2008)
3rd Assistant Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC). He was born in Sokolé (Pouma), Littoral Province (Cameroon) on 13th December 1949. He was a Geographer, graduated in Economic Planning, Development and Public Management.
