Water Minister Flags Off National WASH Forum in Abuja, Seeks Sweeping Reforms to Strengthen Hygiene Systems in Nigeria
By Fatima Saka
The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has declared open the 2025 National WASH Systems Learning Forum in Abuja, with a call for deeper systemic reforms to sustain and expand Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) service delivery across Nigeria.
Giving his keynote address on Thursday, the Minister was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah said the Forum’s theme, “Change Mechanisms and Measuring Change,” aligns with ongoing national efforts to strengthen WASH systems, especially following the Maiden National Sanitation Conference.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to achieving universal access to safely managed and climate-resilient WASH services in line with Sustainable Development Goal Six (SDG 6).
According to a statement signed by Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, Director of Information and Public Relations, the Minister highlighted key milestones such as Nigeria’s attainment of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in two states and 158 LGAs, alongside the development of climate-resilient WASH design standards.
He, however, noted that sustaining progress requires robust institutions, adequate financing, innovation, accountability, and efficient monitoring, evaluation and learning systems.
Prof. Utsev also raised critical concerns including unreliable WASH data, incomplete operationalization of the WASH Information Management System (WASHIMS), and the absence of routine WASHNORM assessments since 2021. He called on participants to confront these systemic weaknesses and design transformative solutions.
“Change does not happen by chance,” he said. “It is the result of deliberate design, collective action, and mutual accountability.”
In his opening remarks, Permanent Secretary Richard Pheelangwah, represented by the Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Mrs. Elizabeth Ugoh, welcomed delegates from within and outside Nigeria. He emphasized the need to translate resolutions of the recent National Sanitation Conference into measurable frameworks, smarter financing models, enforceable regulations, and strengthened monitoring systems at all levels.
Representing Self Help Africa, Country Director Mrs. Joy Aderele emphasized partnership-driven system transformation, citing successes recorded through the WASH Systems for Health Programme in Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
“Real change does not happen in isolation,” she said. “It happens when people come together with shared purpose and commitment.”
She urged stakeholders to confront challenges boldly and work collaboratively to build resilient systems.
The Forum, organized in collaboration with Self Help Africa, IRC WASH, and the FCDO, with support from UNICEF, the World Bank, WaterAid and other development partners, brought together key stakeholders, including Nigeria’s WASH Ambassador, Engr. Ebele Okeke, as well as representatives from the United Kingdom and Sierra Leone. The gathering aims to promote peer learning, cross-country knowledge exchange and the co-creation of system-strengthening approaches.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by the Director of Water Supply, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation; WaterAid; NEWSAN; and the Minister of Water Resources of Sierra Leone. The FCDO, the Consortium Manager and the WASH Facility provided additional insights into the Forum’s objectives, emphasizing data-driven action, collaboration and systemic reforms.
Prof. Utsev officially declared the Forum open, expressing confidence that its outcomes will guide policy direction, enhance sector coordination, and accelerate Nigeria’s progress toward sustainable and inclusive WASH services for all.
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