Nigeria and Hungary have entered into a new Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen academic and technical cooperation in water management, innovation, and climate resilience.
We gathered that the agreement, signed between the Budapest University of Technology and Economics and the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), Kaduna, stood out as one of the key achievements of the Nigeria-Hungary Water Forum held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The event brought together top government officials, engineers, and scholars to foster stronger collaboration in water governance, technology advancement, and sustainable approaches to addressing Nigeria’s growing water challenges.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, hailed the MoU as a milestone toward building capacity, expanding research collaboration, and driving innovation in the nation’s water resources sector.
He explained that the partnership would enable advanced training opportunities for Nigerian engineers, support joint studies on water security and climate resilience, and encourage the exchange of expertise in flood control and basin management.
Utsev noted that the renewed understanding builds upon a similar agreement signed in 2016, which laid the foundation for continuous cooperation and knowledge sharing between both countries in water resource management.
According to him, Nigeria continues to grapple with water-related issues caused by population explosion, rapid urbanisation, and the impacts of climate change, leading to frequent flooding and inadequate access to safe water, especially in rural communities.
He added that under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the government has made water security and sanitation central to its national development and poverty reduction strategies.
The minister further stated that the collaboration with Hungary complements ongoing initiatives such as the River Basin Revitalisation Programme and flood control projects along the River Niger and other major basins across the country.
Utsev pointed out that Hungary’s vast experience in water engineering, wastewater treatment, and flood management would play a key role in supporting Nigeria’s efforts to reform and modernise its water systems.
He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to partnering with Hungarian firms to design sustainable projects that would improve water supply, boost agriculture, and protect the environment through innovative solutions.
In his remarks, the Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Lóránd Endreffy, described the water forum as a landmark moment in the bilateral relationship between both nations, expressing Hungary’s readiness to share its expertise and technological strength.
He emphasised that Hungary’s advanced water infrastructure and strong engineering background make it a reliable partner in Nigeria’s efforts to transform its water sector.
Endreffy acknowledged Nigeria’s water challenges, worsened by urbanisation and climate pressures, but praised the country’s commitment to adopting forward-thinking and lasting solutions.
He added that Hungary’s knowledge in flood management and treatment technologies would greatly complement Nigeria’s initiatives to improve its water systems and enhance resilience.
The forum featured technical sessions, case study presentations, and discussions from national agencies and academic institutions focusing on flood control, rural water supply, and climate adaptation strategies.
