The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, in collaboration with UNICEF, UNESCO, and other development partners, has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting gender-inclusive access to safe water and sanitation as a critical driver of sustainable development and national growth.
The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE, made this known during a press briefing held today in Abuja to commemorate World Water Day 2026.
Observed annually on March 22, World Water Day highlights the importance of freshwater and sustainable water management. The 2026 theme, “Water and Gender: Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” underscores the vital link between water access and gender equality.
Prof. Utsev emphasised that inclusive access to clean water and sanitation is essential to improving the health, dignity, and economic opportunities of women and girls. He noted that sustainable water systems reduce the burden of unpaid care work, enhance girls’ school attendance, and improve maternal and child health outcomes.
He further disclosed that the Ministry has constructed and rehabilitated over 6,700 water schemes, providing safe drinking water to more than 32 million Nigerians. Additional interventions, including solar-powered boreholes and reticulation systems, have also been implemented, particularly in underserved communities.
On sanitation, the Minister highlighted progress under the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign, which has led to the construction of over 5,200 public sanitation facilities and the certification of 162 Local Government Areas as Open Defecation Free.
He also noted that, through partnerships with organisations such as the World Bank and UNICEF, programmes like SURWASH and PEWASH are delivering sustainable and inclusive WASH services across 17 states and the FCT, while strengthening governance, accountability, and gender inclusion.
The Minister added that ongoing irrigation and water infrastructure projects are boosting food security and economic empowerment, especially for women, while emphasising the need for increased female participation in decision-making and the use of sex-disaggregated data for effective planning.
Looking ahead, he identified sustained investment, stronger intergovernmental collaboration, and political will as key to achieving universal access to water and sanitation by 2030.
“World Water Day 2026 is a call to action. We must ensure that water becomes a tool for equality, empowerment, and sustainable development,” he stated.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Emanso Umobong, represented by Dr. Shola Adebiyi Tajudeen, Director Overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary, stressed that inadequate access to water and sanitation disproportionately affects women and girls, limiting their opportunities. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to inclusive policies and stakeholder collaboration.
In his remarks, UNICEF WASH Manager, Mr. Chiranjibi Tiwari, described Nigeria’s water crisis as a gender crisis and called for stronger gender-sensitive policies and data-driven interventions.
Highlights of the event included goodwill messages from partners, a presentation of the World Water Development Report by Dr. Enang Momah of UNESCO, and a book presentation by UNICEF.
As part of the commemoration, a sensitisation campaign was held at Lugbe Car Wash, Abuja, featuring student presentations, presentation of trophies for a hygiene video competition, and the distribution of menstrual hygiene kits.
The Director of Water Resources Planning and Technical Services, Mr. A. A. Adenopo, delivered the vote of thanks, appreciating stakeholders and development partners including UNICEF, UNESCO, WILO PUMPS, AWDROP, SURWASH, HOLBON, COCA COLA, WaterAid and many others for their continued and sustained support towards Annual World Water Day Celebrations.
Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan
Director, Press and Public Relations Unit
24 March, 2026
