The minister of water resources and sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has highlighted significant milestones achieved over the past two years in Nigeria’s water and sanitation sector, in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
These accomplishments represent bold strides in transforming Nigeria’s water sector to ensure sustainable access to clean water, improved sanitation, and enhanced water resource management for all Nigerians.
Speaking at the 8th edition of the Ministerial Press Briefing at the weekend, Utsev underscored his ministry’s unwavering commitment to delivering on the President’s vision for a healthier, more resilient, and water-secure nation through strategic policies, projects, and partnerships. According to him, these efforts support improved water supply, sanitation, irrigation, food security, and flood resilience, which are consistent with the ministry’s mandate.
The minister said he has completed and commissioned three new dams: Rafin Yashin in Niger State, Odo-Ape in Kogi State, and Amla Otukpo in Benue State. He noted that the concession of the 40-megawatt Kashimbila Hydropower Plant and Agro-Allied Cargo Airport has generated ₦7.12 billion in revenue for the Federal Government.
He added that two additional dams, the 46-megawatt Katsina-Ala in Benue State and 20-megawatt Farin Ruwa in Nasarawa State are currently underway through public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements.
Speaking on irrigation, the minister stated that four major projects, including Bakalori in Zamfara and Dadin-Kowa in Gombe have been completed, along with the rehabilitation of 9,490 hectares of gravity-fed systems under the TRIMING Project. These initiatives are expected to facilitate the annual production of over 100,000 metric tonnes of rice. Micro-irrigation systems have also been deployed in Oyo, Jigawa, and other states across the country to support year-round farming.
The minister affirmed that seven water supply projects located in Jigawa, Yobe, and the FCT have been completed, collectively serving over 1 million people. Three additional schemes in Gombe, Damaturu, and Nguru are nearing commissioning, Utsev affirmed.
Through strategic partnerships with PEWASH, SURWASH, and the African Development Bank (AfDB), the minister noted that a total of 565 water schemes have been constructed, benefiting over 451,000 Nigerians.
Utsev also emphasized the attainment of open defecation free (ODF) status in 40 new local government areas (LGAs), bringing the national total to 142. Furthermore, 159 sanitation facilities were constructed and 38 additional projects awarded across 23 states and the FCT. His ministry, he confirmed, also launched the revised Clean Nigeria Campaign Implementation Strategy (2025–2030) and initiated a national media sensitization campaign in five Nigerian languages.
The minister highlighted that 14 dams, including Mangu and Adada, are nearing completion, while 113 water supply schemes are currently under construction nationwide. New projects have been flagged off in Jigawa and Benue States. In addition, the SPIN Project has been launched in collaboration with 20 states to rehabilitate critical dams and irrigation systems.
Utsev commended the efforts of key agencies within the ministry. For instance, the river basin development authorities (RBDAs), he said, have supported over 1.6 million farmers. The Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC), according to him, has issued 24 licenses, while the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) has trained over 1,500 individuals and conducted dam surveys and water quality assessments nationwide.
The minister further noted that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has installed four weather stations, released flood outlooks for the years 2023 to 2025, and also launched Nigeria’s first-ever National Flood Insurance Programme (NFIP).
He expressed his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visionary leadership and extended appreciation to MDAs, state governments, development partners, civil society organizations and the media for their collaboration in advancing water and sanitation development across the nation.
