The Federal Government has urged Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to take greater ownership of the Nigeria National Water Compact 2026–2030, saying their active participation is critical to achieving national water security.
The call was made by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, at a nationwide stakeholders’ consultation workshop on the draft Compact held in Abuja.
Prof. Utsev said water remains central to public health, food security, agriculture, industrial development, environmental sustainability, economic growth and national security.
In a statement by Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, Director, Information and PR, he identified rapid population growth, urbanisation, climate change, environmental degradation, inadequate infrastructure, institutional fragmentation and limited financing as major challenges confronting the sector.
“The Nigeria National Water Compact 2026–2030 is intended to provide a practical roadmap for addressing these challenges and advancing the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” the Minister said.
According to him, the Compact was developed by a National Technical Working Committee comprising government institutions, states, development partners, academia, civil society and the private sector, which is structured around three pillars: Water for People, Water for Food Security, and Water for Planet.
Utsev stressed that the Compact should be treated as “a national instrument rather than a document belonging exclusively to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.”
He urged states and other stakeholders to scrutinise the draft and submit practical recommendations to make it more effective and responsive to their needs and capacities.
The Minister disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been briefed on progress made, while efforts are ongoing to secure the commitment of state governors to implementation.
In a goodwill message, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the Compact as an integrated framework to strengthen collaboration among water, health, agriculture, environment and climate sectors.
He called for “clear governance structures, sustainable financing, equitable access for vulnerable populations, climate-resilient health systems, effective monitoring and measurable performance indicators.”
Acting Permanent Secretary, Engr. Ali Ibrahim Dallah, said the consultation was essential to ensure the Compact is “realistic, inclusive, implementable and sustainable.”
Representing the World Bank, Acting Country Director, Mr. Taimur Samad, said state governments would be critical drivers of Nigeria’s water agenda.
He urged stakeholders to back ambitions with institutional reforms, sustainable service delivery, operations and maintenance, and improved revenue generation.
“Public financing alone will not be sufficient to meet Nigeria’s water-sector investment needs,” Samad said, reaffirming the World Bank Group’s commitment to partner with government on implementation.
Speaking for the WASH Development Partner Group, Ms. Emily Kilongi, emphasised the need for “sustained political leadership, state ownership, measurable results, mutual accountability and reliable data” to translate the Compact into tangible outcomes.
Chairman of the National Working Committee and Director of Water Supply, Mr. Segun Mukaila Babarinde, presented an overview of the draft document and appealed for contributions to strengthen implementation.
The workshop drew representatives of federal and state governments, development partners, CSOs, private sector, academia, professional bodies, women and youth groups, and other water sector stakeholders.