*Charges Stakeholders To Re-Double Supports To Boost Nigeria's Water Security, Peace, Development.
*Urges States To Implement Local Water Conservation Programs, Enforce Environmental Regulations
Nigeria on Saturday 22nd March, 2025 joined the rest of the world to celebrate the World Water Day for the year.
At a press briefing in Abuja to commemorate the day, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, highlighted the growing negative impacts of climate changes on glaciers, which is also affecting water supply and sanitation across the globe.
Despite Nigeria not having glaciers, the Minister noted that Nigeria is also been affected by the impact of climate on glaciers.
The Minister however unveiled measures being taken to minimise the impact of climate change on water supply and sanitation in Nigeria.
He said "Permit me to highlight a few ways that we are affected by melting glaciers as a country:
(i)
The melting of glaciers disrupts global weather systems, causing erratic rainfall in Nigeria, leading to flooding in some areas and prolonged droughts in others. According to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction, annual rainfall patterns may become increasingly unpredictable, affecting over 70% of Nigeria's agricultural sector.
"Rising temperatures and reduced freshwater inflow exacerbate desertification, especially in the northern regions, making water even more scarce.
"Agricultural and Food Security Risks, as reduced water availability affects irrigation and crop production, threatening livelihoods of many Nigerians. The World Bank reports indicates that Nigeria loses substantial amount annually due to reduced agricultural yields linked to climate-related water shortages, which significantly affects the country's total agricultural produce, particularly for perishable crops like fruits and vegetables."
The Minister went on "Coastal Erosion and Rising Sea Levels - The melting of glaciers contributes to sea level rise, endangering coastal communities in Lagos, Bayelsa, and Rivers States through increased flooding and land loss.
"These challenges threatens Nigeria's ability to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: 'clean water and sanitation for all by 2030." he stated
To address the challenges, the Minister said the Federal Ministry of Water Resources has come up with the following initiatives through policies, programmes and projects to ensure equitable and sustainable access to water across the country.
"The Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (PEWASH) - a multi-sectoral collaboration to improve water access in rural areas.
"The National Action Plan for Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) - aimed at making Nigeria Open Defecation Free (ODF) by 2025.
"The Nigeria Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program (SURWASH) is a collaborative initiative between the Federal Ministry of Water Resources & Sanitation and World Bank, aimed to enhance water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services across the country; provide basic drinking water services to 6 million people; offer improved sanitation services to 1.4 million individuals; enhance WASH facilities in 2,000 schools and healthcare centers; and support 500 communities in achieving open defecation-free status."
According to him, the Ministry has also embarked on intervention projects in conflict-affected regions and IDP camps to restore water supply and mitigate water-related disputes.
The Ministry, he said, has also carried out rehabilitation of existing water supply infrastructure and investment in solar-powered boreholes to ensure sustainable water access in the country.
He disclosed that the Ministry has been at the forefront of improving water use efficiency in agriculture, which he noted is essential for food security through the development and management of irrigation systems and ensures that water resources are used judiciously and sustainably for agricultural production.
The Minister added "Modern irrigation techniques are introduced to promote efficient water use, efforts are directed towards helping to mitigate the effects of climate change on agricultural productivity and ensure availability of water, where most needed."
While stressing that the Ministry has also made remarkable strides in advancing hydrological research and data collection across the country; he said that the Ministry has been instrumental in providing accurate hydrological data through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency; Flood monitoring, hydrological mapping, and water forecasting and "has significantly contributed to our ability to respond to emergencies, mitigate flood risks; and improve the overall management of water resources."
To tackle the challenges, the Minister said that the Ministry is also playing a critical role in the management and conservation of Nigeria's river basins, which are essential for sustaining agricultural, industrial, and domestic water needs.
According to him, the Ministry oversees the operation of river basins by closely monitoring and enforcing regulations; working towards making water available for both current and future generations, while maintaining the integrity of the natural ecosystems.
He said "Dams and reservoirs are pivotal in storing water for various uses, including irrigation, hydropower generation, and water supply.
"The Ministry oversees the management and maintenance of the critical infrastructures to ensure safe and efficient operation of dams across the country. This is to help mitigate the impact of seasonal water shortages, while protecting communities from the dangers of floods.
"As part of our role, we ensure that the environmental impacts of dam operations are minimized by promoting sustainable water management practices."
Prof Utsev noted that the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management
Commission, under the umbrella of the Ministry, has been the cornerstone of Nigeria’s national water resource management
efforts.
"The application of the integrated approach to water management has been fundamental in coordinating efforts across all sectors to ensure that water resources are allocated equitably and used sustainably."
The Ministry, he said, has created a roadmap for the responsible management of water resources through the development and implementation of the National Water Resources Policy to balance the needs of agriculture, industry, domestic use, and environment;
"Vital role has been played in the successful implementation of water governance reforms to ensure that water management aligns with global best practices" the Minister stated.
Prof Utsev pointed out that sustainable water security requires partnerships at all levels of government, private sector, development partners, and communities.
He therefore called on all stakeholders to "redouble their efforts at supporting initiatives that enhance Nigeria's water security and contribute to peace and development."
The Minister added "To move forward, we must deliberately take some specific actions as key stakeholders, which include:
"The Federal Government will continue to strengthen policies on climate adaptation, enhance flood control systems, and invest in sustainable water infrastructure;
"State Governments should implement local water conservation programs, promote afforestation, and enforce environmental regulations;
"The Private Sector must invest in eco-friendly technologies, support sustainable water management initiatives, and engage in corporate social responsibility projects for clean water access;
"Research Institutions and NGOs should raise awareness about the effects of environmental issues like glacier loss, conduct studies on climate resilience, and advocate for community-based adaptation measures; and
"Communities and Individuals must adopt water-saving practices, participate in tree planting efforts, and push for stronger environmental policies." he stated
According to the Minister, the theme for the 2025 World Water Day, "Glacier Preservation", highlights the critical role of glaciers in sustaining life and regulating the water cycle.
He noted that for over millions of years, glaciers, massive rivers of ice, have shaped Earth's landscapes, carving valleys and sculpting mountains.
"Glaciers serve as a vital water source for both people and wildlife in many regions, as they impact sea levels and used to generate hydropower in some parts of the world.
"Today, their impact continue to influence the environment far beyond their physical presence, they melt essential nutrients into lakes, rivers, and oceans, fueling phytoplankton growth-the foundation of aquatic and marine ecosystems. Additionally, their gradual melting helps sustain freshwater habitats, supporting diverse plant and animal life."he stated
"Achieving water security in Nigeria is not just a necessity-it is a responsibility we all share. As we commemorate World Water Day 2025, let us renew our commitment of ensuring that every Nigerian has access to safe and sustainable water. A water-secure Nigeria is a climate-resilient Nigeria."
The Minister thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support to Nigerians through the water and sanitation sector.
He also thanked all Donors and Collaborators for their continuous support through the years, adding "We are particularly thankful to our Financial and Technical Partners; UNESCO, UNICEF and other development partners, who over the years, have supported us. We urge you not to relent in your efforts towards supporting the Ministry in her quest to sustainably strengthen Nigeria's Water Resilience and achieve SDG 6.
"I sincerely thank you all for your presence and unwavering support.
Together, let us make water conservation a national priority and contribute to global efforts in safeguarding our water sources. Let us all be committed to safeguarding our water and planet.
HAPPY WORLD WATER DAY 2025" the Minister said.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Richard Pheelangwah, said that the Ministry is deeply committed to boosting water management in Nigeria for the benefit of current and future generations.
Noting that the role of the media cannot be overemphasized, he charged them on timely and accurate information.
UNESCO representative, presented a report on World Water Development at the event and led to the Minister Prof Utsev launching the document.
Others who delivered goodwill messages at the event included representatives of UNICEF, and the World Bank.