Minister Warns Water Crisis Could Threaten Nigerias Security

(Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev. Photo by Sun Nigeria)

The Water Resources and Sanitation Minister has pushed for water security to be treated as a matter of national security, warning that flooding, drought and poor water access could spark conflicts, force people from their homes, cause health crises and destabilise the economy.

Prof Joseph Utsev made the case on Monday at the National Defence College in Abuja.

He said Nigeria can't keep seeing water as just a development problem.

How water is managed directly affects national security, farming, public health, livelihoods and the economy.

According to Utsev, water insecurity, unsafe water, bad sanitation, flooding and drought can trigger health emergencies, cause displacement and increase how vulnerable communities are to climate shocks.

The 2026 flood outlook identified 1,249 communities across 30 states and the FCT as high-risk flood areas, showing how serious the problem is.

The minister linked water management to food security, saying irrigation development is essential to reduce Nigeria's reliance on unpredictable rainfall.

About 154,000 hectares of irrigable land are currently helping over 1.6 million farmers, with efforts underway to expand this further.

The ministry is creating a National Water Compact for 2026 to 2030 that brings together water and sanitation policies.

The plan has three main areas safe water and sanitation for people, irrigation and food security, and climate resilience and sustainable water management.

Utsev outlined five priorities for strengthening Nigeria's water security bringing water security into national security planning, better coordination across government, more investment, building climate resilience and developing the capacity of women and youths.

He stressed that water diplomacy and cooperation with neighbouring countries is crucial since Nigeria shares major water resources with others in the region.