The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has reaffirmed its commitment to deepen inter-ministerial collaboration to achieve food security, job creation and economic growth in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, made the pledge on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at a High Level Briefing on the Draft Nigeria Strategy and Action Plan for the Implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, CAADP, Kampala Declaration 2026-2035.
The event, organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in partnership with development partners, was held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
Prof. Utsev underscored the importance of a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to sustainable agricultural transformation, stressing that water remains the foundation for agricultural development.
The Minister, in a statement by Terhemen Oraduen, Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, said his ministry is scaling up food production through irrigated agriculture by developing and expanding existing dams and reservoirs, expanding irrigation infrastructure and groundwater use, as well as strengthening flood and risk management and ecosystem protection.
He aligned the ministry’s efforts with the Kampala Declaration aimed at transforming Africa’s agrifood systems, and advocated for stronger integration of water resources planning into national agricultural investment programmes.
To support farmers, Prof. Utsev called for greater investment in climate-smart irrigation, rainwater harvesting, watershed restoration, and resilient water infrastructure.
He also urged improved hydrological monitoring, early warning systems and climate information services to aid farmers’ decision-making.
The Minister emphasised the need for private sector investment in water infrastructure, noting that the 12 River Basin Development Authorities across the country and other agencies under the ministry will continue to work closely with private investors to increase food production and improve livelihoods for millions of Nigerians.
“Water resources are critical to achieving year-round agriculture, poverty reduction, and the overall development objectives of this administration,” he said.
The briefing also featured presentations by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu; and Minister of Livestock Development, Alh. Idi Mukhtar, among other ministers.
The Kampala Declaration, adopted by African Union member states in January 2025, sets targets including increasing agrifood output, reducing post-harvest losses, and mobilizing $100 billion in public and private investment for Africa’s agrifood systems between 2026 and 2035.