FG Reaffirms Commitment to Climate-Resilient WASH Systems at National Conference
FG Reaffirms Commitment to Climate-Resilient WASH Systems at National Conference
FG Reaffirms Commitment to Climate-Resilient WASH Systems at National Conference
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening climate-resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) systems as a critical component of Nigeria’s climate adaptation and sustainable development agenda.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, made the commitment while declaring open the 2026 Annual National Climate Change and WASH Conference in Abuja.
The conference, themed “Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Systems at the Frontline of Climate Change: Aligning NDC 3.0 with National Adaptation Priorities,” was organised by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation through its Department of Hydrology in collaboration with development partners, including WaterAid, UNICEF and the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme.
Speaking at the event, Utsev described resilient WASH systems as essential to achieving water security, improved public health, food security and economic growth. He noted that Nigeria’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) provides a strategic opportunity to integrate WASH into the country’s climate adaptation framework.
The minister stressed that climate change poses significant threats to the water, sanitation and hygiene sector, describing the climate crisis as fundamentally a water crisis. He urged stakeholders to move beyond policy discussions and develop practical recommendations that would accelerate the implementation of climate-resilient WASH initiatives across the country.
Utsev also reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to expanding climate-resilient water infrastructure, promoting integrated water resources management, climate-smart sanitation, early warning systems, increased climate financing and inclusive community participation.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the ministry’s programmes and commended development partners, including WaterAid, UNICEF, the World Bank-supported SURWASH Programme and the National Technical Working Group on Climate-Resilient WASH, for their continued collaboration.
Earlier, the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Ali Ibrahim Dallah, welcomed participants and highlighted the need for stronger coordination, sustainable financing and innovative approaches to building resilient WASH systems in the face of climate change.
Representatives from the Federal Ministries of Environment and Budget and Economic Planning, the National Council on Climate Change, WaterAid, UNICEF and the National Water and Sanitation Association of Nigeria called for stronger partnerships and greater integration of WASH into Nigeria’s climate policies to better protect vulnerable communities.
The conference brought together state commissioners for water resources, government officials, development partners, climate experts, WASH practitioners, researchers, civil society organisations, academics, private sector representatives and media professionals to develop practical strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s climate resilience through sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene systems.
Technical presentations, panel discussions and plenary sessions focused on mainstreaming climate-resilient WASH into Nigeria’s National Adaptation Planning framework and the implementation of the country’s NDC 3.0 commitments.
FG Reaffirms Commitment to Climate-Resilient WASH Systems at National Conference
