By Fatima Saka
The Federal Government has identified the safety and modernisation of Nigeria’s over 200 large dams as critical to strengthening national water security, boosting food production and expanding the country’s hydropower capacity amid growing climate challenges.
The government said sustainable management of the dams would also improve flood control, support irrigation agriculture and strengthen Nigeria’s resilience to climate change.
The Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Agbajor Matthew, disclosed this in a statement issued on November 10, 2026, on the outcome of the 2026 National Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Committee on Large Dams (NICOLD), held in Abuja.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, represented by the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Ali Ibrahim Dallah, said dams remained strategic national assets supporting agriculture, hydropower generation, flood management and economic development.
He highlighted the World Bank-supported Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project as a major intervention designed to strengthen dam safety, modernise irrigation infrastructure and promote hydropower development.
The minister stressed the need for regular dam inspections, preventive maintenance, climate-resilient engineering and improved flood forecasting through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) to ensure the sustainability of the country’s dam infrastructure.
He urged participants to translate discussions and recommendations from the conference into practical actions that would improve dam management and safeguard critical water infrastructure.
Also speaking, Dallah, represented by the Director II in the Department of Dams and Reservoirs, Stella Arachie, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity, improving dam safety and promoting integrated water resources development.
He commended NICOLD for its contributions to professional development, technical knowledge exchange and the adoption of international best practices, assuring the committee of the ministry’s continued collaboration.
Earlier, NICOLD President, Engr. Johnson Adewumi, highlighted the committee’s contributions to major dam projects, professional training for Nigerian engineers and international cooperation, including its partnership with the Canadian Dam Association.
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Adewumi called for increased private-sector participation, adoption of modern technologies and environmentally sustainable engineering practices to address emerging challenges posed by climate change, flooding and drought.
The conference, themed “Sustainable Dams for Water, Energy and Climate Resilience,” brought together government officials, professionals and other stakeholders in the water resources and dam engineering sector to exchange knowledge and develop strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s dam infrastructure.
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