The Federal Government of Nigeria has emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to managing the country's rivers, forests, wetlands, and watersheds. This call was made by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, during the commemoration of the 2026 World Rivers Day in Abuja. The minister highlighted the importance of coordinated action among governments, communities, traditional institutions, the private sector, development partners, and civil society to ensure sustainable water resources management.
Prof. Utsev noted that Nigeria's rivers, including the Niger and Benue, as well as streams, wetlands, and tributaries, constitute a shared national heritage that requires collective protection. He identified several pressures threatening the country's rivers, including population growth, urbanization, untreated wastewater, indiscriminate dumping, agricultural runoff, erosion, and sand mining. Additionally, climate change, changing rainfall patterns, flooding, and drought are compounding the challenges, underscoring the need for integrated management of watersheds and water resources.
The minister emphasized that rivers play a crucial role in supporting agriculture, food production, domestic and industrial water supply, fisheries, biodiversity, livelihoods, and economic development. He also noted that forests, wetlands, floodplains, and groundwater recharge areas help protect river sources and regulate water flow, adding that their degradation threatens rivers and communities that depend on them. The theme of the celebration, ‘No Forests, No Rivers, No Water, No Life,’ underscores the interdependence between healthy ecosystems and sustainable water resources.
To address the challenges facing Nigeria's rivers, the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation is strengthening its capacity to collect, analyze, and use data on rainfall, river flows, groundwater, and water quality to support evidence-based water management. The minister also highlighted the importance of sanitation in river protection, noting that untreated sewage and wastewater can contaminate water sources, threaten public health, affect livelihoods, and compromise water supplies.
The Federal Government has made progress in promoting sanitation and hygiene practices nationwide. According to Prof. Utsev, 179 local government areas have been validated as Open Defecation Free under the Clean Nigeria Campaign, while more than 5,238 public sanitation facilities have been supported nationwide. The minister urged Nigerians to stop open defecation and indiscriminate dumping of refuse, plastics, and effluents into drains, streams, and rivers.
The government is also taking steps to manage excess water and mitigate flooding. Prof. Utsev disclosed that the government is identifying dams requiring rehabilitation and locations for new ones as part of measures to manage excess water. Additionally, the government is exploring private-sector participation in dam construction and rehabilitation, stressing that government alone cannot undertake all the required projects.
The minister concluded by emphasizing the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to protect Nigeria's rivers and water resources. He urged young Nigerians to deploy their skills and knowledge to support efforts to manage the country's water resources sustainably. The government is engaging relevant state governments on water-resource management, including discussions with Kebbi on measures to manage water from the Lagdo Dam.
Key points
- The Federal Government calls for integrated management of Nigeria's rivers, forests, wetlands, and watersheds to safeguard water resources and public health.
- The government identifies population growth, urbanization, and climate change as key pressures threatening Nigeria's rivers.
- The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation is strengthening its capacity to collect and analyze data on rainfall, river flows, and water quality to support evidence-based water management.
