The Federal Government has begun nationwide consultations with state governments and other stakeholders to develop a National Water Compact designed to tackle Nigeria’s persistent water and sanitation problems and improve water security nationwide.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, announced this on Thursday in Abuja at a stakeholders’ consultation workshop on the proposed compact.
Utsev said the initiative was driven by several challenges confronting the water sector, including rapid urbanisation, population growth, climate change, environmental degradation, poor infrastructure, fragmented institutional structures and funding limitations.
He noted that these problems had continued to hinder the provision of dependable water supply, sanitation services and productive water use across the country.
“Water is at the centre of sustainable development. It underpins public health, food security, economic growth, environmental sustainability, energy production and national security,” the minister said.
The proposed compact comes against the backdrop of long-running concerns over Nigeria’s ability to guarantee safe water, sanitation and hygiene services for its growing population.
The government is increasingly focusing on closer cooperation between the Federal Government and states, greater investment in water infrastructure and stronger institutional arrangements to address the challenges.
Water access is closely connected to public health, education, agricultural output and household welfare. Poor water, sanitation and hygiene conditions can heighten the risk of water-borne diseases, while unreliable supplies can disrupt schools, healthcare facilities, businesses and communities.
The Federal Government therefore intends to move beyond isolated water projects by establishing a coordinated national framework covering water supply, sanitation, irrigation, environmental protection, public health and climate resilience.
Utsev said the compact was being developed under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and would provide a unified framework for transforming Nigeria’s water sector.
According to him, the framework is expected to improve governance and institutional coordination, boost sector financing, expand access to safe and climate-resilient water and sanitation services, promote irrigation development and strengthen national water security.
He explained that the African Union’s adoption of the Africa Water Vision and Policy 2025–2063 had encouraged Nigeria to develop its own national compact, while tailoring the continental framework to the country’s unique needs and development priorities.
The minister also disclosed that a National Technical Working Committee comprising representatives from government agencies, state governments, development partners, academia, professional bodies, civil society organisations and the private sector had completed the first draft.
He said the draft was the product of months of technical engagements, evidence-based assessments, inter-sectoral cooperation and consultations.
However, Utsev stressed that successful implementation would depend on the active involvement of state governments and other stakeholders, given the important role states play in delivering and managing water, sanitation and hygiene services.
“The National Water Compact cannot succeed unless it reflects the aspirations, priorities and realities of the Nigerian people,” he said.
He added that he had written to the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to obtain the commitment and participation of the 36 state governors and the Federal Capital Territory.
The minister said President Tinubu had also been briefed on progress with the draft, while the ongoing nationwide consultation would allow stakeholders to identify shortcomings, establish state-specific priorities, recommend strategic interventions and strengthen implementation plans before the final document is adopted.
Utsev urged participants to submit practical proposals capable of improving the final compact and delivering measurable benefits to Nigerians.
The acting Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Ali Dalla, said the consultation offered an opportunity to establish a national consensus on the future direction of the water sector.
He stressed that the compact should not be viewed solely as a government initiative but as a framework jointly owned by all stakeholders.
Similarly, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Adekunle Salako, said water security was directly tied to public health and effective healthcare delivery.
Salako noted that inadequate water and sanitation services affected hygiene, infection prevention and control, cleaning and general healthcare operations.
He called for closer cooperation between the water and health sectors, pointing out that floods, droughts and other environmental pressures could have direct consequences for water availability, water quality and public health.
The nationwide consultation is expected to generate recommendations that will shape the final National Water Compact, which the government hopes will provide a clearer and more coordinated basis for investment and action in Nigeria’s water sector.
