Abuja: The Federal Government has initiated a series of nationwide consultations with states and other stakeholders in an effort to create a National Water Compact aimed at addressing Nigeria’s water security challenges. The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, announced this during a stakeholders’ consultation workshop in Abuja, which included participation from state commissioners and other key actors.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the compact, which is intended to guide interventions in the water sector between 2026 and 2030, will focus on water security, safe water supply, sanitation, irrigation, and sustainable water resource management. Prof. Utsev highlighted the persistent challenges Nigeria faces in water security, driven by factors such as rapid urbanisation, population growth, climate change, environmental degradation, inadequate infrastructure, fragmented institutions, and financing constraints. These issues have hindered the country’s ability to provide reliable water supply, sanitation services, and productive water use.
Prof. Utsev emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing policies, reforms, and strategic investments to ensure water security and universal access to safe and sustainable water supply and sanitation services. He noted that the National Technical Working Group, which includes representatives from the government, state governments, development partners, academia, professional bodies, civil society, and the private sector, has produced the first draft of the compact after months of technical engagements, evidence-based analysis, inter-sectoral collaboration, and consultations.
The Minister stressed that the success of the National Water Compact depends on its reflection of the aspirations, priorities, and realities of the Nigerian people. To this end, the ministry has reached out to the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to secure political commitment, ownership, and buy-in from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Given the constitutional and operational responsibilities of states for water supply, sanitation, and hygiene services, their participation is deemed crucial.
Mr. Taimur Samad, Acting Country Director of the World Bank, highlighted the compact’s potential to transform water delivery into jobs and support Nigeria’s development. He advocated for state governments to drive water-sector investments, reforms, and prioritisation of critical actions due to their central role in water resource management. Samad urged stakeholders to consolidate existing plans and strategies under a unified platform for coordinated action, stressing the need for stronger institutions and sustainable financing.
Representing the WASH Development Partner Group, Ms. Emily Kilongi commended the inclusive consultation process and emphasized the importance of state ownership in translating national ambitions into practical actions that reflect local priorities and capacities. She called for prioritising measurable results, mutual accountability, reliable data, and evidence-based decision-making as the compact moves toward implementation.
Dr. Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, underscored the fundamental role of water, sanitation, and hygiene in disease prevention and quality healthcare delivery. He urged stakeholders to view investment in water and sanitation as investment in disease prevention, health promotion, and healthier communities, and called for the final compact to address access to safe water in homes, communities, schools, and public institutions.
The workshop brought together a wide range of representatives from federal and state governments, development partners, civil society organisations, academia, the private sector, and other stakeholders in the water sector, demonstrating a collective commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s water security.