The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening climate-resilient water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems, describing them as critical to Nigeria's efforts to address climate change and achieve sustainable development.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Annual National Climate Change and WASH Conference in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, said resilient WASH systems are essential for ensuring water security, improving public health, enhancing food security and promoting economic growth.
The minister said Nigeria's updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) provides an opportunity to integrate WASH into the country's climate adaptation strategies.
"The climate crisis is fundamentally a water crisis, and strengthening climate-resilient WASH systems is central to building sustainable communities," he said, urging stakeholders to move beyond discussions and implement practical recommendations that would accelerate the integration of WASH into Nigeria's climate agenda.
The conference, with the theme "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.
Utsev said the ministry remains committed 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 also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the ministry's programmes and appreciated 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, said climate change remains one of the greatest global challenges and called for stronger coordination, sustainable financing and innovative approaches to building resilient WASH systems across the country.
Representatives of the Federal Ministries of Environment, Budget and Economic Planning, the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), WaterAid, UNICEF and the Network of Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) also stressed the need for stronger partnerships, effective planning and increased investment to protect vulnerable communities from the effects of climate change.
The conference attracted state commissioners responsible for water resources, senior government officials, development partners, climate experts, WASH practitioners, researchers, civil society organisations, academics, private sector stakeholders and media practitioners.
Technical presentations, panel discussions and plenary sessions focused on developing practical strategies for integrating climate-resilient WASH into Nigeria's National Adaptation Plan and the implementation of NDC 3.0.
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