Nigeria pledges enhanced protection for water ecosystems

Commemorating World Rivers Day, the Nigerian Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the nation’s water ecosystems, including rivers, forests, and watersheds. Speaking in Abuja, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, emphasized that these resources are vital for food security, public health, industrial activities, and economic development.

Utsev warned that Nigeria’s river systems face escalating threats from pollution, indiscriminate waste disposal, rapid urbanization, erosion, sand mining, and climate change. To combat these issues, the Ministry is focusing on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), watershed protection, and enhanced monitoring of water quality, rainfall, and groundwater levels.

Regarding sanitation, the Minister reported that 179 Local Government Areas have been validated as Open Defecation Free. Additionally, over 5,238 public sanitation facilities have been constructed nationwide through the ‘Clean Nigeria Campaign: Use the Toilet’ programme.