FEATURE: How Prof. Utsev Is Transforming Nigeria’s Water, Sanitation Landscape
By Sunday Etuka
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev is an astute professional whose patriotic zeal and great knack for progress is shaping narratives in the water and sanitation sector in Nigeria.
Over the past two years, Prof. Utsev has worked tirelessly to transform the nation’s water and sanitation landscape, expanding irrigation and food production, and harnessing water resources for clean energy generation.
This remarkable progress was made by the Minister and his team at the Ministry while advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Under Utsev’s leadership, the Ministry has achieved milestones in dams’ development and hydropower concessioning across the country. For instance, through the Department of Dams and Reservoir Operations, the Ministry has made great strides in strengthening Nigeria’s water infrastructure.
DAMS DEVELOPMENT
Just recently, the Ministry announced the completion of the Kashimbilla Multipurpose Dam—one of the nation’s flagship projects, with its forty-megawatt hydropower facilities supplying power to the national grid.
It has also commissioned the airstrip, while work is currently advancing on the water supply and treatment components that will soon provide clean and reliable water to millions of Nigerians across Taraba State and neighbouring communities.\
Together with the Gurara and Dadin Kowa Dams, these projects now generate a combined 110 megawatts of renewable energy, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s power mix, in line with the nation’s commitment to clean energy transition.
Beyond Kashimbilla, several other projects are advancing strongly. For instance, the Mangu Dam in Plateau State has reached 90 per cent completion; Adada Dam in Enugu State stands at 78 per cent; Ogbesse Multipurpose Dam in Ekiti State has achieved 65 per cent; and the Farin Ruwa Dam in Nasarawa State continues to record steady progress.
In December last year (2025), while speaking at the Citizens and Stakeholders’ Engagement on the achievements of the ministry’s projects and programmes, held in Abuja, the Minister also revealed that the Ministry was proud of the work on Alau Dam in Borno State, which is enhancing flood control and securing potable water for the people of Maiduguri.
He also announced that the Ministry has completed or advanced several smaller dams including Irawo Earth Dam in Oyo, Otukpo Multipurpose Dam in Benue, Amla Otukpo Dam, Alajue Dam, and rehabilitation works on Tiga, Challawa Gorge, and Ruwan Kanya Reservoirs.
Prof. Utsev disclosed during the event that through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative, the Ministry has successfully concessioned two major brownfield assets: the 40-megawatt Kashimbilla Hydropower Plant and the Kashimbilla Integrated Cargo/Agro-Allied Airport.
According to him, both were concluded in full compliance with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission Act of 2005, generating over ₦7 billion in commencement fees for the Federal Government. Noting that efforts are also on top gears to finalise the concession agreements for new hydropower projects — Farin Ruwa, Katsina-Ala, Dasin Hausa, Manya, and Bawaku — as well as the Azara–Jere Irrigation Scheme, which marks a historic step in bringing private-sector efficiency into agricultural water management.
IRRIGATION & FOOD SECURITY
Speaking on irrigation and food security, Prof. Utsev said the Ministry has continued to translate potential irrigable lands into productive farmlands through modernisation, efficient water management and sustainability. Explaining that at the Dadin Kowa Irrigation Scheme in Gombe State, the Ministry completed and handed over 2,000 hectares of irrigable land directly to farmers—boosting crop yield and improving livelihoods in the North-East.
He added that in Sokoto State, the Middle Rima Valley Irrigation Project has seen key components completed, including the gate-control structure and access roads, while large sections are now operational.
He also mentioned the Middle Ogun Irrigation Project has reached 90 per cent completion on its power line and 80 per cent on the solarisation of sprinkler systems, significantly reducing farmers’ operating costs.
The Minister stated that in order to strengthen climate resilience, the Ministry has expanded small-scale irrigation systems using renewable energy, disclosing that the Micro Irrigation Project at Gari in Jigawa, Ipapo in Oyo, and Duku-Lade in Kwara State have been completed and commissioned, while additional schemes in Yauri, Shaga, and Ngaski in Kebbi State are underway.
“We have also promoted Participatory Irrigation Management through the establishment of Water Users’ Associations across the South-East, South-West, North-Central and South-South regions, empowering farmers to take ownership of irrigation assets. Through our engagement in the World Bank-sponsored Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN) project, 26 States have already signified interest, positioning Nigeria to attract global funding and expertise.
“Our leadership was reaffirmed when Nigeria proudly hosted the 6th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage in Abuja earlier this year. The event focused on sustainable agriculture, irrigation technology, and water management solutions, geared at strengthening our national resolve to achieve food self-sufficiency and agricultural resilience,” he added.
WATER-SUPPLY & SANITATION SUBSECTOR
In the water-supply and sanitation subsector, Prof. Utsev disclosed that the Ministry has constructed and rehabilitated more than 6,700 water schemes nationwide, delivering safe drinking water to over 32 million Nigerians. Noting that projects such as Ugbema, Boko/Buruku, and Wannune in Benue; Greater Dutse in Jigawa; Gombe Regional Water Project; Farin Ruwa in Nasarawa; ATBU in Bauchi; Biu in Borno; Gashua and Damaturu in Yobe; Ota in Ogun; and Zungeru–Wushishi in Niger State stand as proof of the Ministry’s dedication to service delivery.
He said in rural communities, the Ministry successfully implemented numerous rural water supply projects, enhancing access to clean water for over 2,000,000 beneficiaries across various states. Affirming that for the period under review, it constructed about 500 new water supply projects consisting of the provision of Solar Powered Boreholes, Storage Water Facilities, Reticulations and Fetching points nationwide.
On sanitation, he said the Ministry’s Clean Nigeria Campaign continues to make history, as about 5,238 public sanitation facilities were constructed nationwide and 162 Local Government Areas have been certified Open Defecation Free. Saying that in addition to ensuring that the water bodies were protected from contamination, two (2) National Water Quality Reference Laboratories in Asaba and Umuahia were recently completed to enhance water-quality monitoring.
He also submitted that through the SURWASH and PEWASH Programmes, supported by UNICEF, the World Bank, and other partners, the Ministry is delivering sustainable WASH services to millions across 17 States and the FCT.
On Flood Control, the Minister said as part of proactive flood management strategy, the Ministry unveiled the 2024, and 2025 Annual Flood Outlook. Stating that the 2025 report identified 1,249 communities in 176 local government areas across 33 States and the FCT as high-risk areas, and 2,187 communities in 293 local government areas as moderate-risk.
According to him, in response to these risks, the Ministry introduced several innovative flood risk management initiatives, including the National Flood Insurance Programme now being piloted in Kogi and Jigawa States, the Integrated Climate Resilience Innovation Project aimed at supporting climate-adaptive planning, the Niger Flood Project for enhanced control and water resource optimization, and the introduction of an Annual Drought Outlook to complement flood prediction and response.
To strengthen flood preparedness, he said the Ministry is working closely with the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Flood Management and Response.
“Together, we have reviewed ongoing flood control and dam development initiatives—including the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam in Taraba, the Mangu Dam in Plateau, the Adada River Dam in Enugu, and the Alau Dam in Borno State—while facilitating coordinated interventions through enhanced early warning systems, stronger partnerships with state governments, and increased private sector participation in dam operations and flood control infrastructure. The Committee has also pledged legislative support to ensure adequate funding, transparency, and inter-agency collaboration in tackling flooding across the country.
“Our Agencies are being strengthened to also deliver on the overall mandate of the Ministry. As earlier mentioned, NIHSA is actively involved in flood and drought related activities. Our institute, the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) has trained over 1,500 youths in plumbing, drilling, and water technology. Also, the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC) has issued 24 water-use licences to several water users, ensuring fair allocation of the nation’s water resources,” he added.
Prof. Utsev said the twelve River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) have been repositioned as key drivers of national food security and water resources management. Noting that the Ministry has reconstituted their boards and management teams, increased federal funding through various initiatives, and introduced private-sector participation to expand irrigation infrastructure and modernise operations.
“Across all basins, major irrigation and dry-season farming schemes were revived, with completion of major dam projects (including Rafin Yashin Dam in Niger State, Odo Ape Dam in Kogi State and Amla Otukpo Dam in Benue State), adoption of solar-powered drip systems, improved water-use governance, and strengthened Water Users’ Associations.
“Collectively, the RBDAs developed over 154,000 hectares of irrigable land, directly benefiting more than 1.6 million farmers engaged in year-round agriculture. Several water supply and sanitation projects were also constructed in locations across the countries, aimed at strengthening the Ministry’s resolve to achieve SDG 6 of providing basic water supply and sanitation services by 2030.
“Our partnerships with the African Development Bank, UNICEF, WaterAid, and the World Bank continue to drive key initiatives such as the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes project, promoting land and water sustainability across 19 northern States and the FCT,” he said.
Looking ahead in 2026, he said the Ministry intends to complete and commission the Adada, Mangu, and Ogbesse Dams, fully operationalize the Kashimbilla water-supply network, expand micro-irrigation schemes, and strengthen citizen participation through structured feedback systems.
“Our vision remains clear: to make water a catalyst for inclusive growth, clean energy, food security, and national prosperity. Together with our partners, we will continue to deliver on the promise of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he concluded.
