The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has unveiled the first draft of the 2026–2030 National Water Compact (NWC), aimed at addressing the most challenging issues confronting the water sector over the next four years.
Engr. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, unveiled the draft initiative at a nationwide stakeholders’ consultation workshop for the development of the NWC.
He reminded participants that water is at the center of sustainable development, underpinning public health, food security, economic growth, environmental sustainability, energy production, and national security.
The minister noted that despite significant progress over the years, Nigeria continues to face challenges in ensuring sustainable water security for all.
He attributed this to rapid urbanization, population growth, climate change, environmental degradation, inadequate infrastructure, fragmented institutional arrangements, and financing constraints.
These factors, he added, continue to hinder the country’s ability to deliver reliable water supply, sanitation services, and productive water use nationwide.
He said, “I am pleased to inform you that the National Technical Working Committee (NTWC)—comprising representatives of Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies; state governments; regional representative Commissioners of Water Resources; development partners; academia; professional bodies; civil society organizations; and the private sector—has successfully developed the first draft of the Nigeria National Water Compact.
“This achievement reflects months of extensive technical engagement, evidence-based analysis, inter-sectoral collaboration, and strategic consultations aimed at developing a practical roadmap that will guide Nigeria’s water sector in the coming years.”
The minister emphasized that the National Water Compact is not merely another policy document. “It is a national commitment to transform Nigeria’s water future. The Compact seeks to strengthen governance and institutional coordination, improve financing for the water sector, and accelerate access to safe, climate-resilient water supply and sanitation services, irrigation development, and overall water security across the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These objectives form the three pillars of the compact: Water for People, Water for Food Security, and Water for Planet.”
Engr. Ali Ibrahim Dalla, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, added that achieving these goals will require stronger collaboration among federal, state, and local governments, development partners, the private sector, civil society, communities, and other key stakeholders.
“It will also require improved financing, institutional capacity, reliable data, innovation, appropriate technology, and effective implementation mechanisms,” Dalla said.
