By Stella Odueme
The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with relevant ministries and stakeholders to achieve food security, reduce poverty and stimulate economic growth in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, made the commitment at the High-Level Briefing on the Draft Nigeria Strategy and Action Plan for the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Declaration 2026–2035, held in Abuja.
According to a statement signed by Terhemen Oraduen, Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Utsev stressed the importance of a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to transforming agriculture, ensuring food security and driving sustainable economic development.
The minister assured participants that the ministry would continue to provide the water resources needed to support year-round farming across the country through expanded irrigation and improved water infrastructure.
He said the ministry is scaling up food production by developing and rehabilitating dams and reservoirs, expanding irrigation facilities, improving groundwater development, strengthening flood risk management and promoting ecosystem protection.
Prof. Utsev also advocated stronger integration of water resources planning into Nigeria’s agricultural investment programmes in line with the objectives of the Kampala Declaration aimed at transforming Africa’s agrifood systems.
He called for increased investment in climate-smart irrigation, rainwater harvesting, watershed restoration and resilient water infrastructure, while emphasising the need for enhanced hydrological monitoring, early warning systems and climate information services to support farmers and improve agricultural productivity.
Describing water as the foundation of agricultural development, the minister urged greater private sector participation in water infrastructure, noting that the country’s 12 River Basin Development Authorities and other agencies under the ministry would continue to partner with investors to boost food production and improve livelihoods.
The event also featured presentations by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha; and other members of the Federal Executive Council, who highlighted the need for coordinated implementation of the CAADP Kampala Declaration to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sector and enhance food security.
