The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to integrating climate resilience into Nigeria’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector, describing water security as central to the country’s climate adaptation and sustainable development agenda.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, stated this while speaking at the opening of the 3rd Annual National WASH and Climate Change Conference in Abuja.
Prof. Utsev said climate change had become a major threat to water resources, sanitation services and public health, making resilient WASH systems a national priority.
The Minister said the 2025 conference produced practical recommendations on climate-resilient infrastructure, climate financing and stronger partnerships, adding that this year’s conference would focus on translating those recommendations into concrete actions under Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0).
He described climate change as fundamentally a water crisis, noting that floods, droughts, changing rainfall patterns and declining water quality continue to affect access to safe water and sanitation across Nigeria.
The Minister stressed that resilient WASH systems are critical to achieving sustainable development, economic growth, environmental protection and improved public health.
He identified priority areas requiring immediate attention to include strengthening climate-resilient water infrastructure, improving integrated water resources management, expanding climate-smart sanitation, enhancing hydrological monitoring and early warning systems, mobilising climate finance, and promoting community participation, gender inclusion and state government ownership of climate adaptation programmes.
Professor Utsev urged participants to move beyond discussions by producing practical and implementable recommendations, assuring that the Ministry would continue collaborating with the National Council on Climate Change, development partners, academia, state governments and other stakeholders to advance Nigeria’s climate adaptation agenda.
Representing the Minister of Environment, Chika Opara said climate change continues to increase pressure on water resources, sanitation infrastructure, food security and ecosystems. She noted that floods, droughts, erosion and desertification were becoming more frequent, threatening the resilience of communities across the country.
She said the Federal Ministry of Environment remained committed to implementing climate adaptation and mitigation programmes, promoting environmental sanitation, strengthening pollution control, supporting integrated waste management and advancing the One Health approach to improve environmental and public health outcomes.
Also representing the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Maria Yuazake assured participants that climate-resilient WASH programmes would continue to receive attention in national planning and budgeting processes through strategic investments and sustainable financing mechanisms.
On her part, the Director General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Temi Majekodumni represented by Amudi Chioma Felistas, described the conference as timely, noting that it would help translate Nigeria’s climate commitments into practical implementation plans.
She said climate-resilient WASH interventions would also create green jobs, improve livelihoods and strengthen environmental protection while supporting implementation of the country’s NDC 3.0.
Speaking on behalf of WaterAid, Mr. Kolawole Banwo commended the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the National Technical Working Group on Climate-Resilient WASH for sustaining the annual conference.
He emphasised that climate action requires a government-led, sector-wide approach involving development partners, civil society, academia, the private sector and the media.
Banwo stressed the need for stronger institutions, reliable data, sustainable financing and greater collaboration, express
