The Federal Government has commenced a nationwide stakeholders’ consultation to develop the Nigeria National Water Compact, a new policy framework aimed at achieving water security, universal access to safe water, and improved sanitation across the country.
The workshop, which was held on Thursday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Maitama, Abuja, was declared open by the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev.
Declaring the nationwide stakeholders consultation workshop open, Prof. Utsev said the Compact is Nigeria’s response to the Africa Water Vision and Policy 2025–2063 (AWVP-2063) adopted by the African Union earlier this year.
“Nigeria commenced the development of a National Water Compact to domesticate this continental vision while responding to our unique national priorities and development aspirations,” he said.
According to him, the National Technical Working Committee (NTWC), comprising federal and state officials, development partners, academia, CSOs and the private sector has completed the First Draft of the Compact.
The Minister outlined that the National Water Compact is built around three pillars:
1. Water for People – safe and climate-resilient water supply and sanitation
2. Water for Food Security – irrigation and agricultural productivity
3. Water for Planet – environmental sustainability and water resource protection
“The National Water Compact is not merely another policy document. It is a national commitment to transform Nigeria's water future,” Utsev stated.
“It seeks to strengthen governance and institutional coordination, improve financing for the water sector, accelerate access to safe and climate resilient water supply and sanitation services, irrigation development, as well as water security across the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
He noted that despite progress, Nigeria still faces major challenges including rapid urbanization, population growth, climate change, environmental degradation, inadequate infrastructure, fragmented institutions and financing constraints.
Utsev said the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and that the President has been formally briefed on progress made so far.
He added that he had written to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to secure commitment from the 36 States and FCT, recognizing that states have constitutional responsibility for water supply and sanitation delivery.
The Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Ali Ibrahim Dalla, in his welcome address, stressed that the Compact “must not be seen as a document belonging to the Federal Ministry alone. It must be a national document owned by all stakeholders.”
“The purpose of this workshop is to provide an opportunity for States and other stakeholders to carefully review the Draft Compact, identify gaps, propose strategic actions and make practical recommendations,”Dalla said.
He urged participants to share “practical experiences, innovative ideas and workable solutions” to ensure the final document is “realistic, inclusive, implementable and sustainable.”
Dalla added that achieving the Compact’s goals will require stronger collaboration, improved financing, institutional capacity, reliable data, innovation and effective implementation across federal, state and local governments, private sector and communities.
The Minister and Permanent Secretary both acknowledged the World Bank Group and other development partners for technical and financial support, and commended the NTWC for its work.
The objective of the consultation, according to the Ministry, is to harmonize inputs and produce the final National Water Compact for implementation nationwide.
“Let us build consensus and strengthen partnerships towards producing a National Water Compact that commands broad ownership and provides a clear pathway for transforming Nigeria’s water sector,” Dalla concluded.
The Consultant, Dr. Victor Osei Kwadwo, speaking virtually, said the National Water Compact aims to get water and sanitation to every citizen in Nigeria.
Stressing that it tries to identify five key areas, he urged every state in the country to identify where they are critically lacking.
Noting that it will put in place stronger institutions and other essential services, the consultant said political commitment is essential to ensure it works.