FG Launches Nationwide Water Sector Reforms to Improve Water Supply

FG Begins Nationwide Consultation to Reform Nigeria’s Water Sector

Abah Felicity August 27, 2026 2 minutes read

ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has launched a nationwide consultation aimed at transforming Nigeria’s water sector through a comprehensive reform agenda designed to improve water supply, sanitation and long-term water security.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, announced the initiative in Abuja on Thursday, describing it as a major step towards developing the Nigeria National Water Compact, a framework expected to guide reforms across the sector.

Utsev said the consultation would bring together state governments, development partners, civil society organisations, academics, private-sector stakeholders and other relevant institutions to build consensus on the proposed reforms.

He identified rapid population growth, urbanisation, climate change, environmental degradation, ageing infrastructure, weak institutional coordination and inadequate funding as some of the key challenges undermining access to safe water and sanitation services nationwide.

According to the minister, the National Water Compact will provide a coordinated strategy for strengthening water governance, improving sanitation services, attracting investments, expanding irrigation and enhancing national water security in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He disclosed that a National Technical Working Committee had already developed an initial draft of the framework after extensive technical consultations with relevant stakeholders.

Utsev stressed that the active participation of state governments would be critical to the success of the reforms because they play central roles in delivering water and sanitation services.