The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, on Monday, September 28, 2026, joined the global community to commemorate World Rivers Day under the theme: “No Forests, No Rivers; No Water, No Life.
The celebration featured two major activities to commemorate today ‘s event; a media briefing by the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE,and a symbolic river-cleaning and riverside memorial tree-planting exercise at Wupa River, Gbesa Community, Abuja.
The activities provided an opportunity to highlight the critical importance of rivers, forests and other water ecosystems to human survival, food security, livelihoods, economic development and environmental sustainability, while drawing attention to the growing threats facing Nigeria’s river systems.
Speaking at the media briefing, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE, stressed the importance of protecting Nigeria’s rivers, forests and ecosystems that sustain the nation’s water resources.
The Minister noted that rivers support agriculture, food security, domestic and industrial activities, livelihoods and biodiversity, but face increasing threats from pollution, indiscriminate waste disposal, urbanisation, erosion, sand mining and climate change.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), watershed protection and improved water-quality monitoring, while calling for stronger collaboration among governments, communities, development partners, the private sector and civil society.
Prof. Utsev also highlighted the strong link between sanitation and healthy rivers, disclosing that 179 Local Government Areas have been validated as Open Defecation Free, while over 5,238 public sanitation facilities have been constructed nationwide through the Clean Nigeria Campaign: Use the Toilet programme of the Ministry.
He called on Nigerians, particularly the media and youths, to support efforts to end open defecation, prevent pollution of waterways, conserve forests and wetlands as well as promote responsible water and sanitation practices.
In his welcome address, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Ali Ibrahim Dallah, FNSE, said the theme underscores the vital connection between healthy forests, rivers and sustainable water resources.
He noted that Nigeria’s rivers face growing threats from pollution, deforestation, environmental degradation and climate change, stressing that their protection is essential to water security, food production, livelihoods and national development.
Engr. Dallah said the choice of Wupa River for the celebration underscored the need for practical action to protect and restore the nation’s water bodies.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to sustainable water resources management and stronger stakeholder collaboration, stressing that the protection of Nigeria’s rivers is a collective responsibility.
In her vote of thanks, the Director of River Basin Operations and Inspectorate, Engr. Christy Oduh, appreciated the Honourable Minister, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Directors, Chief Executives of River Basin Development Authorities, and other critical stakeholders who graced the occasion.
Signed
Funmi Imuetinyan
Director, Information and Public Relations.
28/09/2026.
