The Federal Government and the Nigerian Committee on Large Dams (NICOLD) are joining forces to strengthen the country’s more than 200 large dams, which support national water supply, food security and hydropower generation.
The commitment was restated in Abuja at the 2026 National Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of NICOLD, held under the theme “Sustainable Dams for Water, Energy and Climate Resilience.”
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, was represented by the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Ali Ibrahim Dallah.
He described dams as strategic national assets that support agriculture, hydropower generation, flood management and economic development, and said the Federal Government remains committed to dam safety, improved water security and harnessing Nigeria’s hydropower potential through sustainable water infrastructure.
He highlighted the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project, supported by the World Bank, as a key initiative to strengthen dam safety, modernise irrigation infrastructure and promote hydropower development.
The Minister, according to a statement by the Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations of the Ministry, Agbajor Matthew, also stressed the importance of regular dam inspections, preventive maintenance, climate resilient engineering and improved flood forecasting through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) as key strategies for sustainable dam infrastructure development.
He urged stakeholders to turn the conference deliberations into practical recommendations for sustainable dam management.
In a separate goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, 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.
The Ministry commended NICOLD for advancing professional development, technical knowledge exchange and the adoption of international best practices and assured the committee of its continued collaboration.
Earlier, the President of NICOLD, Engr. Johnson Adewumi, highlighted the committee’s contributions to major dam projects, professional training for Nigerian engineers and cooperation with international organisations such as the Canadian Dam Association.
He called for stronger private sector participation, modern technologies and environmentally sustainable engineering practices to address the growing challenges of climate change, flooding and drought.
The conference brought together senior government officials, professionals and other stakeholders in the water and dam engineering sector to exchange ideas and knowledge and to develop strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s dam infrastructure, water security and climate resilience.
