….says 1.6m farmers benefit from 154,000 hectares of irrigable land

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev, Monday, called for the integration of water security into national security architecture.

Utsev made the call while delivering a lecture titled ‘Water Resources Management and Sanitation as Catalysts for Sustainable National Development and Security in Nigeria’ at the National Defence College, Abuja.

He underscored the importance of water security in terms of access to safe water and sanitation, describing them as fundamental to public health, food security, economic stability and national resilience.

The Minister also emphasized that water is is not many Nigerians think but is of a national security priority that is beyond being a developmental issue.

He stated that the importance of water cannot be overemphasized, because water insecurity, unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, flooding, drought and climate variability could trigger public health emergencies, displacement and resource-based crises, intensify competition among water users, undermine livelihoods and increase vulnerability to climate-related shocks.

Meanwhile, speaking on River Basin Development Authorities, RBDAs, he (Utsev) highlighted the important roles of they play in food security and rural economy – irrigation, agriculture, fisheries, rural water supply, flood control, job creation, agro-processing and rural economic development.

On food security, the Minister said irrigation development was critical to reducing Nigeria’s dependence on increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns.

He disclosed that approximately 154,000 hectares of irrigable land are currently benefiting more than 1.6 million farmers, noting that efforts are ongoing to expand irrigation coverage.

He also raised concerns over the security implications of climate-induced flooding and drought, noting 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.

However, the Minister advocated stronger coordination among government institutions, particularly in the water, agriculture, health, environment and security sectors, alongside increased investment, effective regulation, reliable water intelligence, climate-resilient infrastructure and stronger community participation.

On policy coordination, the Minister disclosed that the Ministry is developing a National Water Compact for 2026–2030 as a roadmap to harmonise Nigeria’s water and sanitation policies and interventions.

He explained that the Compact is built around three strategic pillars: Water for People, Water for Food and Water for the Planet, focusing respectively on safe water and sanitation, irrigation and food security, and climate resilience and sustainable water resources management.

He also emphasised that the Compact is being developed through a whole-of-government and multi-stakeholder approach involving the Federal and sub-national governments, security agencies, River Basin Development Authorities, traditional and religious institutions, the private sector, development partners, civil society organisations and communities.

The Minister further stressed the importance of water diplomacy and transboundary cooperation, noting that Nigeria shares major water resources with neighbouring countries and must strengthen regional collaboration to promote stability, economic growth and sustainable development.

To strengthen Nigeria’s water security, he identified five strategic priorities: integrating water security into national security planning; strengthening whole-of-government coordination; increasing strategic investment and sustainable financing; building climate resilience and national water intelligence; and developing the capacity of women and youths.

The Minister stressed that the resilience of the systems that sustain the people is fundamental to national security, adding that protecting water resources, expanding access to safe water and sanitation, strengthening irrigation, and improving preparedness for floods and droughts were essential to securing Nigeria’s future.

The Minister was accompanied by the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Dallah Ali Ibrahim, FNSE; Director, Water Supply and Support Services, Mr. Babarinde Segun Mukaila; and Director, Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Mr. Habu Jemilu, mni.