FG Urges States, FCT to Take Ownership of National Water Compact 2026–2030
The Federal Government has urged Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to take greater ownership of the Nigeria National Water Compact 2026–2030, stressing that their active participation is essential to achieving sustainable water security across the country.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE, made the call in Abuja during a nationwide stakeholders’ consultation workshop on the draft Compact.
Utsev described water as a critical pillar of national development, linking it directly to public health, food security, agriculture, industrial growth, environmental sustainability, economic development and national security.
He identified rapid population growth, urbanisation, climate change, environmental degradation, inadequate infrastructure, institutional fragmentation and insufficient financing as some of the major challenges facing Nigeria’s water sector.
According to the Minister, the Nigeria National Water Compact 2026–2030 is designed to provide a practical and coordinated roadmap for addressing these challenges while supporting the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He disclosed that the Compact was developed by a National Technical Working Committee comprising representatives of government institutions, state governments, development partners, academia, civil society and the private sector.
The framework is built around three key pillars: Water for People, Water for Food Security and Water for Planet.
Utsev stressed that the Compact should be regarded as a national development instrument, rather than a document belonging solely to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.
He therefore urged states and other stakeholders to critically examine the draft and provide practical recommendations that would make it responsive to their respective needs, capacities and realities.
The Minister further disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had been briefed on the progress of the Compact, while efforts were ongoing to secure the commitment of state governors towards its implementation.
Stakeholders Back Coordinated Water Strategy
In a goodwill message, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, commended the ministry for initiating the Compact, describing it as an integrated framework capable of strengthening cooperation across the water, health, agriculture, environment and climate sectors.
Salako called for clear governance structures, sustainable financing, equitable access for vulnerable populations, climate-resilient health systems, effective monitoring and measurable performance indicators.
He reaffirmed the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s commitment to supporting the finalisation and implementation of a practical Compact that would strengthen water quality, improve health outcomes, prevent disease and protect Nigerians.
The Acting Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Ali Ibrahim Dallah, said the consultation was essential to ensuring that the Compact was realistic, inclusive, implementable and sustainable.
Representing the World Bank, Acting Country Director Mr Taimur Samad described state governments as critical drivers of Nigeria’s water agenda, particularly in investment, reforms and implementation.
He urged stakeholders to complement their ambitions with firm commitments to institutional reforms, sustainable water-service delivery, maintenance and improved revenue generation.
Samad noted that public financing alone would not be sufficient to meet Nigeria’s water-sector investment needs, stressing the importance of sustainable financing models and stronger institutions capable of managing water as an economic asset while delivering reliable services.
He reaffirmed the World Bank Group’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government and other stakeholders throughout implementation of the Compact.
Also speaking on behalf of the WASH Development Partner Group, Ms Emily Kilongi commended the ministry and the National Technical Working Committee for what she described as an extensive and inclusive consultation process.
She emphasised the importance of sustained political leadership, state ownership, measurable results, mutual accountability and reliable data in translating the Compact into tangible improvements in water services.
The Chairman of the National Working Committee on the National Water Compact and Director of Water Supply in the ministry, Mr Segun Mukaila Babarinde, presented an overview of the draft document and appealed to participants to make constructive contributions towards strengthening its implementation.
The consultation brought together representatives of federal and state governments, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector, academia, professional associations, women and youth groups, as well as other stakeholders in Nigeria’s water sector.
The Federal Government said the ongoing consultation is expected to help produce a coordinated, inclusive and sustainable national water framework capable of improving access to safe water, strengthening water security and supporting Nigeria’s long-term development.
FG Urges States, FCT to Take Ownership of National Water Compact 2026–2030