[1] The dam was built during the administration of Governor Audu Bako in an attempt to respond threat of recurrent drought and to improve food security through irrigation projects.[2] The dam covers an area of 178 square kilometres (69 sq mi) with maximum capacity of nearly 2,000,000,000 cubic metres (7.1×1010 cu ft).[6] A study published in 1999 concluded that farmers in the downstream floodplain had adapted their agriculture, helped by new technology, but the increased level of production might not be sustainable.He said the Tiga and Challawa Dams had caused intense poverty, increased desert encroachment, migration and conflicts between arable farmers and herdsmen.More than 30 million people derive their livelihood from the Lake Chad Basin through fishing, raising live stock and farming.