The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has warned that worsening water insecurity, flooding, drought and poor sanitation could trigger conflicts, displacement and other threats to Nigeria’s national security.
Utsev gave the warning on Monday while delivering a lecture, “Water Resources Management and Sanitation as Catalysts for Sustainable National Development and Security in Nigeria,” at the National Defence College, Abuja.
The Minister said Nigeria could no longer afford to treat water as merely a development issue, stressing that water security must be integrated into the country’s national security architecture.
According to him, access to safe water and sanitation is fundamental to public health, food security, economic stability and national resilience.
He warned that water insecurity, unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, flooding, drought and climate variability could trigger public health emergencies, displace communities and intensify competition among water users.
Such pressures, he added, could undermine livelihoods, fuel resource-based crises and expose communities to increased climate-related vulnerabilities.
Utsev also drew attention to the strategic importance of the River Basin Development Authorities, noting that they play vital roles in irrigation, agriculture, fisheries, rural water supply, flood control, job creation, agro-processing and rural economic development.
On food security, the Minister said Nigeria must expand irrigation as a means of reducing dependence on increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns.
He disclosed that approximately 154,000 hectares of irrigable land are currently benefiting more than 1.6 million farmers, with efforts ongoing to increase irrigation coverage nationwide.
The Minister further raised concerns over the security implications of climate-induced flooding and drought.
He disclosed that the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook identified 1,249 communities in 176 Local Government Areas across 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory as high flood-risk areas.
Utsev called for stronger collaboration among institutions responsible for water, agriculture, health, environment and security, stressing the need for increased investment, effective regulation, reliable water intelligence and climate-resilient infrastructure.
He also advocated greater community participation in water resources management, saying local communities must be actively involved in efforts to protect and sustainably manage the country’s water resources.
On policy coordination, the Minister announced that the Ministry is developing a National Water Compact for 2026–2030, which he said would provide a coordinated framework for harmonising Nigeria’s water and sanitation policies and interventions.
He said the Compact would be built around three strategic pillars: Water for People, Water for Food and Water for the Planet.
While Water for People focuses on access to safe water and sanitation, Water for Food is centred on irrigation and food security, while Water for the Planet addresses climate resilience and sustainable water resources management.
Utsev said the Compact was being developed through a whole-of-government and multi-stakeholder approach involving the Federal and sub-national governments, security agencies, River Basin Development Authorities, traditional and religious institutions, the private sector, development partners, civil society organisations and communities.
He further stressed the importance of water diplomacy and transboundary cooperation, noting that Nigeria shares major water resources with neighbouring countries.
According to him, strengthening regional cooperation over shared water systems is essential for promoting peace, stability, economic growth and sustainable development.
To strengthen Nigeria’s water security, Utsev identified five strategic priorities, including integrating water security into national security planning, strengthening whole-of-government coordination and increasing strategic investment and sustainable financing.
He also listed building climate resilience and national water intelligence, as well as developing the capacity of women and youths, among the priorities.
The Minister stressed that the resilience of the systems that sustain the people is fundamental to national security.
He said protecting water resources, expanding access to safe water and sanitation, strengthening irrigation and improving preparedness for floods and droughts were essential to securing Nigeria’s future.
Responding to the lecture, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Abuja, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, commended Utsev for the presentation, noting that it had clearly demonstrated the strong link between water security and national security.
Ahmed identified flooding, drought and resource-based conflicts as major security concerns, calling for greater utilisation of Nigeria’s abundant freshwater resources.
He also advocated stronger international cooperation in managing shared water systems.
The Minister was accompanied by the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Dallah Ali Ibrahim, FNSE; Director, Water Supply and Support Services, Mr. Babarinde Segun Mukaila; and Director, Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Mr. Habu Jemilu, mni.
The lecture was attended by the full complement of the faculty of the National Defence College.
