By Mercy Aikoye
The House of Representatives Committee on Water Resources held a comprehensive budget defence session with the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, during which the ministry presented its proposed ₦98 billion budget for 2026 and reviewed its performance under the 2025 appropriation.
The minister appeared before the committee alongside directors and senior officials, offering detailed briefings on programme implementation, infrastructure expansion and policy priorities. Lawmakers engaged extensively with the ministry’s team as part of their oversight and appropriation responsibilities.
Defending the 2026 proposal, Utsev said the allocation is largely targeted at completing ongoing dam and irrigation projects nationwide to boost agricultural production and strengthen food security.
“The focus of the 2026 budget is the completion of ongoing dam and irrigation projects across the country,” he said. “We are determined to enhance agricultural productivity, improve water management and reinforce national food security.”
He added that flood and drought mitigation remain key priorities in view of growing climate variability.
“Flood control and drought mitigation measures are central to our agenda, especially as climate change continues to impact communities and farmlands,” the minister stated.
Utsev also emphasised the aggressive implementation of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes, including intensified efforts to end open defecation nationwide.
“We are scaling up WASH interventions and intensifying efforts to eliminate open defecation in Nigeria,” he said. “Currently, 17 states are benefiting from the expansion of the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) and Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) programmes.”
