General News
Floods, Droughts, Water Shortages Pose Security Risks — Minister
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has called for water security to be integrated into Nigeria’s national security plans.
Utsev made the call while delivering a lecture at the National Defence College in Abuja, where he stressed that water security was vital to public health, food security, economic growth and national stability.
The Minister warned that water shortages, poor sanitation, flooding and drought could trigger diseases, displacement, conflicts and loss of livelihoods.
He noted that climate change was worsening the risks of flooding and drought, making urgent action necessary.
Utsev also highlighted the contributions of River Basin Development Authorities to irrigation, agriculture, rural water supply, flood control and job creation. He said irrigation was essential to increasing food production and reducing dependence on rainfall.
According to him, about 154,000 hectares of irrigable land currently benefit more than 1.6 million farmers. He added that the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook identified 1,249 communities in 176 Local Government Areas across 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory as high flood-risk areas.
The Minister called for stronger collaboration among the water, agriculture, health, environment and security sectors. He announced that the Ministry was developing a National Water Compact for 2026–2030 to coordinate water and sanitation programmes.
He said the Compact would focus on three key areas: Water for People, Water for Food and Water for the Planet.
Utsev also called for increased cooperation with neighbouring countries over shared water resources.
Responding, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, commended the Minister, saying water security was essential to Nigeria’s national security.
