The Federal Government has launched a four-day national workshop in Nasarawa State to tackle dam safety and help Nigeria prepare for rising climate threats.
The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation organised the event on Thursday, June 26, and ended on Saturday, June 28.
It is part of the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project, a World Bank-supported effort to improve the country’s water infrastructure, reduce flooding risks, and support agricultural productivity through better irrigation systems.
Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Richard P. Pheelangwah, the Director of Reforms Coordination, Mr. Moses Jo-Madugu, described the event as a vital space for planning and learning.
He said the workshop is focused on building “stakeholder engagement and technical planning,” especially as the government prepares to roll out SPIN.
According to Mr. Pheelangwah, the SPIN Project is a “strategic initiative” to support key areas like irrigation, flood control, power generation, and access to clean water.
But he stressed that none of these goals can succeed without safe, well-managed dams.
For that reason, he said Nigeria needs to step up “proactive maintenance, continuous monitoring, and coordinated emergency preparedness.”
The workshop’s participants include policymakers, engineers, researchers, and stakeholders from different ministries. They will spend the three days in expert-led sessions on dam risk assessments, climate change adaptation, and lessons from international best practices.
Mr. Pheelangwah encouraged strong collaboration and practical knowledge-sharing in his message to the participants.
He praised the World Bank and the organising committee for their support and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to building a resilient water system.
From an agricultural standpoint, the workshop addresses one of Nigeria’s biggest development needs: irrigation.
With climate change impacting rainfall patterns, the country’s farmers are increasingly dependent on reliable dam systems to support dry-season farming.
Better-managed dams mean more consistent water flow to farmlands and reduced crop loss during floods.
The Federal Ministry of Power also voiced its support in a goodwill message.
The Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Mamudah Mamman, represented by Engr. Bem Ayangeaor, Assistant Director of Renewable and Rural Power Access, stated that dams remain essential for irrigation, water supply, flood control, and electricity generation.
He noted that the Ministry remains committed to dam safety and hydropower development as part of Nigeria’s long-term energy strategy.
