Posted by Chinenye on Tue 29th Sep, 2026 - tori.ng
The Federal Government is warning that pollution, erosion, sand mining, waste dumping and climate change are putting Nigeria’s rivers at risk.
(Prof Joseph Utsev. Photo by The Sun Nigeria)
The Federal Government has sounded an alarm over rising dangers to the rivers of Nigeria, warning that their destruction could put water security, food production and people livelihoods in danger.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, gave the warning yesterday while marking World Rivers Day.
The theme of this year event was No Forests, No Rivers; No Water, No Life.
The programme included a media briefing, a symbolic river cleaning and a tree planting exercise by the riverside at Wupa River in Gbesa Community, Abuja.
Utsev said rivers remain vital for farming, food security, home and industrial use, livelihoods and wildlife.
He however said they are being hit more and more by pollution, careless waste dumping, fast urban growth, erosion, sand mining and climate change.
He said the ministry stays committed to Integrated Water Resources Management, protection of watersheds and better monitoring of water quality.
The minister asked governments, communities, development partners, the private sector and civil society to work together more closely to protect the rivers and waterways of the country.
Utsev also tied sanitation to the health of the rivers.
He said 179 Local Government Areas have been confirmed as Open Defecation Free, while more than 5,238 public sanitation facilities have been built across the country under the Clean Nigeria Campaign: Use the Toilet programme.
He urged Nigerians, especially young people and the media, to back the fight against open defecation, the pollution of waterways and the destruction of forests and wetlands.
In his welcome address, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr Ali Ibrahim Dallah, said the theme shows the link between healthy forests, rivers and lasting water resources.
Dallah said Nigerian rivers face growing threats from pollution, loss of forests, damage to the environment and climate change.
He stressed that protecting them is key to water security, food production and the growth of the nation.
He said Wupa River was picked for the celebration as a practical reminder of the need to protect and restore the water bodies of the country.
The Director of River Basin Operations and Inspectorate, Engr Christy Oduh, gave the vote of thanks.
She thanked the minister, Dallah, directors, chief executives of River Basin Development Authorities and other stakeholders for taking part.