Abuja: The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening climate resilience plans, restoring degraded landscapes, and empowering communities to manage their resources sustainably. The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun, emphasized this at the Workshop for the Presentation and Final Validation of nine Strategic Catchment Management Plans, under the ACReSAL Project.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Prof. Terlumun stated that the goal is to enhance climate resilience, restore degraded landscapes, and empower communities for sustainable resource management. He highlighted that the 20 Strategic Catchment Management Plans play a crucial role in this initiative. The minister pointed out the daily challenges faced by citizens in the 19 Northern States and the FCT, such as advancing deserts, unreliable rains, degraded farmlands, and shrinking water bodies, which threaten food security, farmers’ income, and community stability. The ACReSAL Project is Nigeria’s response to these challenges, led by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with Water Resources and Agriculture.
The minister explained that the project provides a blueprint for integrated action by identifying priority areas, mobilizing resources, and coordinating efforts across sectors and stakeholders. Dr. Joy Agene, the World Bank Task Team Leader, remarked that the gathering marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to enhance sustainable water resources management and climate resilience. She noted the dedication, technical expertise, and collaboration that shaped the strategic documents being validated, emphasizing that effective catchment management is crucial for resilient livelihoods, ecological stability, and long-term development.
Dr. Agene stressed the importance of evidence-based, inclusive, and forward-looking strategies as climate change intensifies pressures on water systems. The validation process offers an opportunity to build consensus, refine priorities, and ensure interventions are practical, sustainable, and aligned with national goals. The World Bank remains committed to supporting the government and stakeholders in advancing integrated catchment planning.
Mr. Abdulhamid Umar, the National Project Coordinator for ACReSAL, highlighted the realities of desertification, drying rivers, and degraded farmlands affecting homes and communities across Northern Nigeria. He explained that the development of 20 Strategic Catchment Management Plans provides a roadmap to restore watersheds, promote sustainable farming, and protect the environment for future generations. These plans guide investments in tree planting, better water management, climate-smart agriculture, and quick-win actions that benefit households and farms.
Mr. Chuka Ofodili, a Consultant at Mecon Geology and Engineering Services Ltd., described the Malenda Catchment as a strategically important multi-state watershed spanning parts of Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara States. Anchored around the Malenda River system, the catchment drains into the River Niger corridor, supporting irrigation agriculture, livestock production, inland fisheries, and rural water supply. It plays a significant role in food security, biodiversity conservation, and flood regulation within its savanna ecology, extensive floodplains, and forest reserves. The catchment is crucial for sustaining agrarian livelihoods, regulating seasonal flows into the Niger system, and buffering climate variability, making it a critical landscape for integrated watershed management and climate resilience planning in north-central and north-western Nigeria.