The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, today received the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health/Nutrition Focal Person, Mrs. Uju Rochas Anwukah, and her team in his office in Abuja. The meeting underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing nutrition, water quality, and sanitation reforms across the country.
Prof. Utsev commended the Senior Special Assistant and her delegation for the high-level engagement and emphasized the need for sustained inter-agency collaboration to accelerate the Presidential Mandate on nutrition.
He disclosed that the creation of a dedicated Nutrition Department in the Ministry is already underway, supported by an existing nutrition committee established to fast-track the process.
Speaking on the National Campaign to End Open Defecation, the Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria attain Open Defecation Free (ODF) status by 2030.
He further revealed that validation teams are currently in the field assessing ODF progress in various LGAs. Prof. Utsev also extended an invitation to the Presidential team to attend the maiden edition of the National Sanitation Conference and the 6th Anniversary of the ODF Campaign, scheduled to take place in Abuja next week, where key stakeholders will be recognized and celebrated.
Addressing concerns on water quality, the Minister reiterated that all water facilities constructed by the Federal Government are equipped with treatment plants to ensure access to safe water. He emphasized the critical link between water and food security, noting that “water is the driver of food, and without clean water, there is no food. Achieving the President’s mandate is therefore non-negotiable.”
In her remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health and Nutrition, Mrs. Uju Rochas Anwukah, provided an overview of the Federal Government’s Nutrition 774 Initiative. She noted that the programme, a multi-tiered, community-driven intervention launched by the National Economic Council (NEC) in February 2025, serves as a flagship initiative of the National Council on Nutrition (NCN).
Mrs. Rochas Anwukah explained that the initiative adopts a bottom-up approach aimed at strengthening political commitment, improving financing and accountability, and enhancing multisectoral coordination to achieve better nutrition outcomes nationwide.
She outlined critical areas where the Ministry’s support is required, including the establishment of a Nutrition Department within the Ministry; Increased budgetary allocation for nutrition-related programmes; Strengthened support to states and LGAs, particularly the FCT, to achieve Open Defecation Free status and expanded access to clean water and sanitation services across all 774 LGAs.
Also in attendance during the meeting were Mrs. Elizabeth Ugoh, Director, Water Quality Control and Sanitation; Engr. Adeyinka Adenopo, Director, Water Resources Planning and Technical Support Services; and Mr. Mukaila Babarinde, Director, Water Supply Services.
Signed:
Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan
Director, Information and Public Relations
14 November 2025
