The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation successfully hosted a 2-day interactive session on Government-Citizen Engagement, themed “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government-Citizen Engagement for National Unity”, at Arewa House, Kaduna, from 29–30 July 2025.
The 3rd Plenary Session focused on Agriculture and Food Security and featured the Honourable Ministers Water Resources and Sanitation, of Agriculture and Food Security, Livestock Development, and Environment, alongside the Chairman and Secretary of the Livestock Development Committee, the Executive Secretary of the Agriculture Development Fund, and the National Coordinator of the National Agriculture Development Zone. Discussions centered on Nigeria’s agricultural and food security transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, highlighted the Ministry’s achievements between May 2023 and May 2025. These include significant progress in water supply expansion, irrigation development, climate resilience enhancement, and hydropower capacity growth, all in line with the Ministry’s mandate to improve livelihoods and support sustainable development.
Prof. Utsev emphasized that the revitalization of the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) is central to positioning water resources as a driver of agricultural growth, economic development, and climate adaptation. He noted that seven of the twelve RBDAs are located in the Northern Region, ensuring that sustainable food production aligns with President Tinubu’s Food Security Agenda.
He further disclosed that the RBDAs are creating jobs for unemployed youths and women nationwide. Addressing the status of dams in the country, Prof. Utsev revealed that President Tinubu has established a committee to assess dam functionality and produce recommendations for their optimum performance.
The Minister announced that the contract for the reconstruction of the Alau Dam in Maiduguri, Borno State, has been signed and awarded. Contractors are already working on-site, and upon completion, the dam is expected to significantly boost irrigation farming and enhance hydropower generation.
Prof. Utsev also highlighted that key leadership positions within agencies of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation are occupied by Northerners, including in the Integrated Water Resources Institute, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), and the Nigeria Institute of Water Resources, Kaduna.
The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that clean water, sanitation, food security and sustainability remain national priorities under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Signed
Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan
Director, Information and PR
Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation
30/07/2025
