By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA- ON the heels of climate change impacts on water resources and the environment, the Federal Government, on Monday, called on stakeholders to synergise and push policies that would strengthen climate-resilient policies to boost the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector.

In his address and declaring the 3rd Annual Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Climate Change Conference open, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, said the conference is very crucial and critical to water infrastructures in the country.

The one-day conference with the theme ‘Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) System at the Frontline of Climate Action: Aligning NDC 3.0 with the National Adaptation Priorities’, was organised by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in collaboration with SURWASH, WaterAid, and UNICEF, held in Abuja.

Meanwhile, Utsev recalled that in 2025, the National Climate Change Conference focused on strengthening policies and investment for climate-resilient WASH services, and was action-oriented, which led to practical recommendations for strengthening political commitment, designing climate-resilient infrastructure, expanding access to climate finance, and deepening partnerships across sectors at all levels of government.

He said this time around, the discussion and action plan should focus on expanding climate-smart sanitation solutions that protect public health and reduce environmental degradation.

He said: “As we align WASH interventions with NDC 3.0 implementation, performing priority actions deserves our collective attention. The fact is that we must strengthen climate-resilient water infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events and ensure continuous service delivery. That should be one of the basic things that you keep in mind as we discuss today.

“The second one is that we must improve integrated water resources management to safeguard water availability under changing climate conditions. We must also expand climate-smart sanitation solutions that protect public health and reduce environmental degradation.

“We must also strengthen early warning systems, hydrological monitoring, and climate information services to support evidence-based decision-making. Those are part of the data, part of the information we are working for, looking for, to chart the way forward.

“And we must also mobilise increased climate finance and investment for WASH adaptation programs, recognising that resilient water systems deliver multiple social, economic, and environmental benefits.

“Last but not least, we must also enhance community participation. When one of the ministers was talking, he mentioned the importance of the sub-nationals.”

He also explained that the conference creates an opportunity for stakeholders to review progress made since the 2025 conference and identify the next practical steps to take towards implementation.

“The action plan developed last year remains relevant. However, the burden list has increased. The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation will continue to work closely with the National Council on Climate Change, development partners, the academia, and state governments. It is our belief that we shall leave here with clear, actionable recommendations to strengthen Nigeria’s climate space and adaptation, and an agenda for WASH”, he added.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, represented by Maria Yuazake, in his goodwill message, said the climate-resilient WASH programmes would continue to receive attention as far as national planning and budgeting processes are concerned, and would also ensure investments and sustainable financing mechanisms to drive the actualisation of well-articulated plans.

On his part, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, represented by Chika Opara, noted the pressure of climate change on water resources and sanitation infrastructure as well as on food security and ecosystems.

“The Federal Ministry of Environment recognises that the renewable wash system is indispensable to achieving Nigerian National Determined Contributions, that is NDC 3.0, towards national adaptation and sustainable development goals.

“As a lead ministry responsible for environmental governance and climate change coordination, we remain committed to policies and programs that promote environmental sustainability, primary resilience, and healthy communities”, Lawal said.

Meanwhile, in a goodwill message, the Director-General, DG, National Council on Climate Change, NCCC, Dr Omotenioye Majekodunmi, represented by Amudi Chioma Felistas, expressed optimism that the conference will lead to the implementation of climate resilient policies that would lead to job creation and other benefits, creating green jobs, and protecting the environment.

Speaking on behalf of WaterAid, in a goodwill message, Mr Kolawole Banwo acknowledged and lauded the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the National Technical Working Group on Climate-Resilient WASH for sustaining the annual conference, saying conferences like this will contribute meaningfully to ensuring that climate change becomes a national priority, requesting stronger institutions, better planning, sustainable financing, and reliable data.