Safe Water, Sanitation Key To Healthier Nigeria — Minister

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding access to safe water and sanitation as part of efforts to build a healthier and more resilient Nigeria.

Utsev stated this while delivering a lecture titled, “Water Resources Management and Sanitation as Catalysts for Sustainable National Development and Security in Nigeria,” at the National Defence College, Abuja.

The minister said access to safe water and adequate sanitation was fundamental to public health, food security, economic stability and national development, stressing the need to place water security at the centre of Nigeria’s development planning.

He said strengthening the country’s water and sanitation systems would help protect communities, support healthier populations and improve Nigeria’s capacity to withstand public health and climate-related challenges.

According to him, government must adopt stronger coordination among the water, health, agriculture, environment and security sectors while increasing investment in resilient water and sanitation infrastructure.

Utsev also highlighted the role of the River Basin Development Authorities in expanding rural water supply, irrigation, agriculture, fisheries and flood control, noting that their activities could contribute significantly to improved livelihoods and community wellbeing.

On food security, he said irrigation development was critical to reducing dependence on increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns.

The minister disclosed that approximately 154,000 hectares of irrigable land were currently benefiting more than 1.6 million farmers, adding that efforts were ongoing to expand irrigation coverage.

He further disclosed that the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation was developing a National Water Compact for 2026–2030 to harmonise Nigeria’s water and sanitation policies and interventions.

According to him, the Compact is built around three strategic pillars — Water for People, Water for Food and Water for the Planet — with the first focusing on safe water and sanitation, the second on irrigation and food security, and the third on climate resilience and sustainable water resources management.

Utsev said the Compact was being developed through a whole-of-government and multi-stakeholder approach involving federal and sub-national governments, security agencies, River Basin Development Authorities, traditional and religious institutions, the private sector, development partners, civil society organisations and communities.

He also stressed the importance of climate resilience and reliable water intelligence to enable the country prepare effectively for floods and droughts and protect communities from their impact.

The minister identified five strategic priorities for strengthening Nigeria’s water security, including integrating water security into national planning, strengthening government coordination, increasing sustainable financing, building climate resilience and national water intelligence, and developing the capacity of women and youths.

He said improving access to safe water and sanitation, protecting water resources and strengthening preparedness for climate-related events were essential investments in the health and future of Nigerians.

Responding, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, commended the minister for the presentation, noting that it demonstrated the importance of water security to national development and security.

Ahmed also called for greater utilisation of Nigeria’s abundant freshwater resources and stronger cooperation in managing shared water systems.