The Federal Government has earned ₦7 billion from hydropower and agro-allied concessions and expanded the nation’s irrigable land to 154,000 hectares, strengthening Nigeria’s push for food security and climate-resilient agriculture.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, disclosed the figures on Wednesday in Abuja during the Citizens and Stakeholders’ Engagement on the achievements of the ministry’s projects and programmes.
He said the 40-megawatt Kashimbilla Hydropower Plant and the Kashimbilla Integrated Cargo and Agro-Allied Airport were concessioned in full compliance with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission Act of 2005.
Additional concession agreements, he added, were nearing completion for the Farin Ruwa, Katsina-Ala, Dasin Hausa, Manya, and Bawaku Dams, alongside the Azara–Jere Irrigation Scheme.
These partnerships aim to deepen private-sector participation in agricultural water management.
Prof. Utsev also highlighted improved national flood preparedness, referencing the 2024 and 2025 Annual Flood Outlooks, which identified 1,249 high-risk and 2,187 moderate-risk communities across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Ongoing initiatives to mitigate disasters include the National Flood Insurance Programme, the Integrated Climate Resilience Innovation Project, the Niger Flood Project, and the Annual Drought Outlook, efforts designed to complement flood forecasting and strengthen climate adaptation planning.
He further clarified that no water has been released from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, urging residents in Lokoja, Makurdi, and Wurobokki to rely solely on verified updates from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
According to the minister, the ministry’s agencies have been reinforced to deliver improved services.
“The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency monitors floods and droughts; the National Water Resources Institute has trained over 1,500 youths; and the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission has issued 24 water-use licences,” he said.
He noted that River Basin Development Authorities have been repositioned to develop 154,000 hectares of irrigable land, directly benefitting an estimated 1.6 million farmers engaged in dry-season farming.
Recent dam completions include the Rafin Yashin Dam in Niger State, Odo Ape Dam in Kogi State, and the Amla Otukpo Dam in Benue State, complemented by solar-powered drip-irrigation systems and strengthened Water Users’ Associations.
Prof. Utsev said partnerships with the World Bank, African Development Bank, UNICEF, and WaterAid continue to support the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, which enhances land and water sustainability across 19 northern states and the FCT.
He added that sanitation programmes such as the Sustainable Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme (SURWASH) and the Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN) initiative had recorded significant progress.
Twenty-six states have now joined SPIN, while the National Sanitation Conference produced new strategies to end open defecation with support from traditional and religious leaders.
Targets set for 2026 include completing the Adada, Mangu, and Ogbesse Dams, operationalising the Kashimbilla Water Supply Scheme, expanding micro-irrigation systems, and strengthening structured citizen-feedback mechanisms.
The minister reaffirmed that water, sanitation, irrigation, and hydropower remain central to the Renewed Hope Agenda and crucial to advancing food security, clean energy, climate resilience, and economic prosperity.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Emanso Umobong, said the engagement forum was established to deepen accountability, transparency, and stakeholder inclusion.
She noted that the water and sanitation sector underpins public health, economic development, and national well-being.
Dr Umobong explained that the stakeholder-engagement framework originated from Presidential Executive Order 12 of 2022 and was strengthened by Executive Order 13 to enhance coordination and accountability in implementing government priorities.
She said ministries are required to hold at least one engagement session every quarter, chaired by the minister and supported by key officials, development partners, and civil-society actors.
Source: Daily Nigeria
Image Credit: NAN
