Water security should be part of national security – Minister
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has called for water security to be integrated into Nigeria’s national security framework, warning that water-related challenges could fuel conflicts, displacement, health emergencies and economic instability.
Utsev made the call on Monday while delivering a lecture at the National Defence College in Abuja titled, “Water Resources Management and Sanitation as Catalysts for Sustainable National Development and Security in Nigeria.”
The minister said Nigeria could no longer treat water solely as a development issue, noting that access to safe and sustainable water directly affects food production, public health, livelihoods and economic stability.
“Water security is national security,” he said, urging its integration into the country’s national security architecture.
Utsev identified flooding, drought, unsafe water, poor sanitation and climate variability as major challenges capable of increasing competition over resources, displacing communities and exposing vulnerable populations to climate-related shocks.
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-risk areas.
He consequently called for stronger flood preparedness, climate-resilient infrastructure and improved coordination among agencies responsible for water, agriculture, health, environment and security.
The minister also linked water security to food production, stressing the importance of irrigation in reducing Nigeria’s dependence on increasingly unpredictable rainfall.
According to him, about 154,000 hectares of irrigable land currently benefit more than 1.6 million farmers, while efforts are ongoing to expand irrigation coverage.
Utsev said the government was also developing a National Water Compact for 2026–2030 to coordinate interventions in the water and sanitation sector.
He said the proposed framework would focus on three areas: Water for People, Water for Food and Water for the Planet.
The first pillar will focus on access to safe water and sanitation, the second on irrigation and food security, while the third will address climate resilience and sustainable management of water resources.
The minister said the initiative would involve federal and state governments, security agencies, River Basin Development Authorities, traditional and religious institutions, development partners, civil society organisations and local communities.
He further stressed the importance of regional cooperation, noting that Nigeria shares major water resources with neighbouring countries and therefore needs stronger water diplomacy and transboundary management.
Utsev identified five priorities for strengthening the country’s water security: integrating water security into national security planning, improving coordination among government institutions, increasing investment and sustainable financing, strengthening climate resilience and water intelligence, and developing the capacity of women and young people.
The Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, who responded to the lecture, described water security as central to national security.
Ahmed identified flooding, drought and resource-based conflicts as major security concerns and called for greater utilisation of Nigeria’s freshwater resources and stronger international cooperation.
The minister’s warning comes amid recurring flooding and climate-related pressures that continue to affect communities, infrastructure and agricultural production across Nigeria.
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