FG reiterates commitment to water security, sanitation advancement

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing water security, sanitation, and climate resilience across Africa as Nigeria hosts a high-level Western African Sub-Regional Ministerial and Technical Advisory Committee consultation on the Africa Water Vision 2063 and its first implementation plan (2026–2033).

The three-day consultation, which opened on Tuesday in Abuja and was convened by the African Ministers’ Council on Water in collaboration with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, brought together ministers, technical experts, development partners, and regional stakeholders to shape strategies for improving water governance and service delivery across West Africa.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja and signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the FMOW, Funmi Imuetinyan, the meeting is focused on developing coordinated responses to mounting pressures on Africa’s water resources while setting priorities for the 2026–2033 implementation framework.

Declaring the consultation open, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation and AMCOW Vice President for West Africa, Engr. Prof. Joseph
Utsev, said Nigeria remains firmly committed to strengthening water and sanitation systems in line with continental development goals.

“Nigeria is privileged to host this strategic consultation, not only as the host of the AMCOW Secretariat, but as a steadfast partner in advancing Africa’s collective water and sanitation agenda,” Utsev said.

He reaffirmed that the Federal Government is aligning national programmes with Africa’s long-term development vision, stressing that water security remains central to economic growth, public health, and climate resilience.

“The Africa Water Vision 2063 provides a transformative framework for achieving sustainable development and inclusive growth in line with Agenda 2063,” he added.

Utsev warned that Africa’s water systems are increasingly under strain due to rapid urbanisation, population growth, and climate variability, noting that coordinated regional action is now critical.

He said the consultation is expected to define measurable targets, strengthen financing frameworks, and identify priority investment areas to accelerate access to safe drinking water and sanitation services.

The Minister also highlighted ongoing Nigerian initiatives, including the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme, the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene, the Clean Nigeria Campaign to end open defecation, and the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria Project, describing them as evidence of the government’s sustained commitment to sector reform.

The Chair of the Technical Advisory Committee, Segun Babarinde, described the consultation as a key step in translating continental aspirations into practical programmes.

“This consultation is a critical milestone in translating the Africa Water Vision 2063 into actionable programmes and measurable outcomes,” he said.

He urged participants to deepen collaboration and ensure the development of a results-oriented implementation framework that reflects regional realities.

Similarly, Dr Nyambe Nyambe of the African Union Commission said the consultation comes at a critical moment for Africa, noting that rapid urbanisation, informal settlements, and environmental pressures are intensifying water challenges across the continent.

He stressed the need to protect water resources from pollution and strengthen mechanisms to prevent conflicts over access.

Speaking on behalf of ECOWAS, Kouassi Alexis reaffirmed the region’s commitment to implementing the Africa Water Vision 2063, noting ongoing efforts to update its 2008 water policy framework and plans for a regional water forum in Abidjan.

“Water is fundamental to Africa’s industrialisation, agriculture and overall development,” he said.

AMCOW official Nelson Gomonda described the designation of water and sanitation as the African Union’s Theme for 2026 as a landmark achievement, urging member states to develop national implementation plans to ensure ownership and accountability.

“This is the first time since 2008 that water and sanitation are being elevated to such a high level on the continental agenda,” Gomonda noted.

The Africa Water Vision 2063 is a continental policy framework designed to achieve universal access to safe water, improved sanitation, and climate-resilient water systems in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 development blueprint.

Africa continues to face significant water challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, funding gaps, uneven access to safe water, and increasing vulnerability to climate change impacts such as droughts and flooding. West Africa remains one of the regions most affected by these pressures, making coordinated policy action and investment mobilisation a priority.

Nigeria currently hosts the AMCOW Secretariat and plays a leading role in shaping regional water governance reforms, particularly in sanitation expansion and rural water supply programmes.

The consultation continues until Thursday, April 23, 2026, with discussions expected to focus on investment mobilisation, policy harmonisation, monitoring frameworks, and stakeholder coordination.

Outcomes from the meeting are expected to guide regional and continental strategies for achieving water security, strengthening sanitation systems, and ensuring sustainable access to safe water across Africa.