The Federal Government has commenced nationwide consultations with state governments and other stakeholders to develop a National Water Compact to address Nigeria’s water security challenges.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at a stakeholders’ consultation workshop involving state commissioners and other key players in the water sector.
Utsev said the compact would guide interventions in the water sector from 2026 to 2030, with an emphasis on water security, access to safe water, sanitation, irrigation, and the sustainable management of water resources.
He identified rapid urbanization, population growth, climate change, environmental degradation, inadequate infrastructure, fragmented institutions and financing constraints as major factors driving Nigeria’s persistent water security challenges.
According to him, the challenges have undermined the country’s ability to provide a reliable water supply, sanitation services, and productive use of water.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to policies, reforms and strategic investments aimed at achieving water security and universal access to safe and sustainable water supply and sanitation services.
He said the National Technical Working Group, comprising representatives of the Federal and state governments, development partners, academia, professional bodies, civil society and the private sector, had produced the first draft of the compact.
Utsev said the draft was the product of months of technical engagements, evidence-based analysis, inter-sectoral collaboration and consultations.
“However, the National Water Compact cannot succeed unless it reflects the aspirations, priorities and realities of the Nigerian people,” he said.
The minister disclosed that the ministry had written to the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to secure the political commitment, ownership and support of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He stressed that state participation was critical because state governments had constitutional and operational responsibilities for water supply, sanitation and hygiene services.
Utsev urged stakeholders to strengthen the draft by identifying state priorities, proposing strategic interventions and establishing clear implementation arrangements.
He described the compact as more than a policy document, saying it would strengthen governance, improve financing and expand access to water and sanitation services.
He added that the initiative would support irrigation development, food production, environmental sustainability and national water security.
Also speaking, the Acting Country Director of the World Bank, Mr Taimur Samad, said the compact presented an opportunity to transform water delivery into an engine for job creation and national development.
Samad urged state governments to lead water-sector investments, reforms and prioritization of critical actions, given their central role in water resource management.
He called on stakeholders to build on existing plans and strategies by bringing them together under a unified platform for coordinated action.
Samad also stressed the need for stronger institutions and sustainable financing, noting that public funding alone could not meet the sector’s investment requirements.
He said water should be treated as an economic asset, supported by sustainable revenue systems for capital investment, operations and maintenance.
Samad pledged the World Bank’s continued partnership with the Federal Government in advancing Nigeria’s water agenda.
Representing the WASH Development Partner Group, Ms Emily Kilongi commended the ministry and the National Technical Working Committee for conducting an inclusive consultation involving the 36 states.
Kilongi said the compact could strengthen coordination across WASH, irrigation, agriculture, climate, health and economic development.
She emphasized that state ownership would be critical to translating national ambitions into practical actions that reflect local priorities, capacities and realities.
Kilongi urged stakeholders to prioritize measurable results, mutual accountability, reliable data and evidence-based decision-making as the compact progressed towards implementation.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, described water, sanitation and hygiene as fundamental to disease prevention and effective healthcare delivery.
Salako said health facilities could not function effectively without reliable water, sanitation and hygiene services required for infection prevention, cleaning and safe healthcare delivery.
He said investment in water and sanitation should be viewed as investment in disease prevention, health promotion and healthier communities.
The minister urged stakeholders to ensure that the final compact addressed access to safe water in homes, communities, schools and public institutions.
He also called for climate-resilient health systems and equitable water governance to guarantee access for vulnerable and marginalized populations.
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Salako said effective implementation would require sustainable financing, clear accountability, accurate data and strong collaboration among government institutions and other stakeholders.
He pledged the continued support of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare towards the finalization and implementation of the National Water Compact.
The workshop brought together representatives of federal and state governments, development partners, civil society organizations, academia, the private sector and other stakeholders in the water sector.
