The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev presenting his scorecard in the Water and Sanitation Sector during the 8th edition of the Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja
By Fatima Saka
As part of the ongoing Federal Government Ministerial Press Briefing Series, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE, on Friday unveiled the Ministry’s achievements, including the concessioning of key power projects: the 460MW Kashimbila Dam in Taraba State and the 20MW Farin Ruwa project in Nasarawa State. Together, these projects have contributed N7.2 million to the national revenue pool.
Prof. Utsev stated that these initiatives are part of broader efforts to expand irrigation and improve power supply, agriculture, and economic productivity.
He highlighted that through extensive irrigation projects such as the Bakolori Irrigation Project in Zamfara, as well as initiatives in Oyo, Gombe, and Kebbi States, the Ministry has made 395,624 hectares available for irrigation. “Over 154,000 hectares are already in use, engaging 1,658,576 farmers.
He added that micro-irrigation projects are also being introduced to support rural farmers and increase productivity.”
The Minister reiterated that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Ministry has completed reforms and projects aligned with the administration’s eight-point priority agenda focusing on food security, job creation, improved power supply, expanded irrigation, and sanitation.
At the press briefing in Abuja, Prof. Utsev detailed progress across four key sub-sectors: dams and hydropower, water supply, irrigation, and sanitation all aimed at improving the livelihoods of Nigerians.
Multipurpose Dams and Hydropower Development
The Minister announced the completion and commissioning of major multipurpose dams including the Rafin Yashin Dam in Niger State, the Odo Ape Dam in Benue State, and others. These facilities support irrigation, potable water supply, flood control, and hydropower. The Odo Ape Dam alone benefits over 2,800 farmers and yields an estimated 3,000 metric tons of crops per square meter.
He also highlighted the upcoming World Bank-supported 3B Project (Boosting Food, Power, and Irrigation), set to launch in July, which will modernize irrigation infrastructure in participating states.
Underscoring the Water Supply Reaching Millions of Nigerian Nationwide, Minister said that Seven major water projects have been completed and commissioned. These include:
Greenwood Community Water Project, Chitawai State serving 500 households
Nasarawa Water Supply Project delivering 3,200 million liters per day to over 1 million people
NYSC Camp Water Scheme, Abuja
Gopi Regional Water Supply Project awaiting commissioning, expected to serve 2 million people
Damaturu and Nguru Water Projects both over 90% completed
In total, 628 water supply schemes have been completed, providing potable water to over 451,000 Nigerians.
Sanitation: Advancing Toward Open Defecation-Free Nigeria by 2030
Speaking on Sanitation and Advancing Toward Open Defecation-Free Nigeria by 2030, as part of the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet campaign, the Minister revealed that the ministry has localized sanitation messages and intensified community outreach. As a result, 41 additional local government areas have achieved open defecation-free (ODF) status, moving Nigeria closer to its 2030 ODF target.
The Ministry has also constructed 159 sanitation facilities, with 38 more underway and additional projects budgeted for 2025.
Flood Control and Disaster Mitigation
Prof Utsev highlighted that in response to the 2024 floods, the Ministry is rehabilitating the Alau Dam in Borno State and constructing a buffer dam at Dasin Hausa in Adamawa State to manage water inflow from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam. “These projects aim to reduce the risk of future flood disasters while supporting irrigation and hydropower.”
In Licensing, Research, and Capacity Building the minister said between 2023 and 2024, 24 water usage licenses were issued, generating N4.64 million in revenue. “The National Water Resources Institute continues to train technicians and conduct applied research, while the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency provides seasonal flood forecasts.”
Outlook for 2025
Prof. Utsev disclosed that the Ministry has earmarked several key projects for 2025, including:
Water project in Ogun State
Water supply upgrades in Bayelsa
78 new drip irrigation schemes
Rehabilitation of dams in Katsina, Osun, Nasarawa, Bauchi, and Plateau States
The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to inclusive development through partnerships with state governments, private investors, and development partners.
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“We are not just building infrastructure we are building livelihoods, creating jobs, and securing the future of Nigeria’s water and food systems,” he said.
Prof. Utsev further thanked President Tinubu for his unwavering support and pledged to return with further updates as the Ministry continues to deliver impactful projects across the nation.
