The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, on Monday presented the Ministry’s 2025 Budget Implementation Report and defended the ₦98,105,051,341 2026 Budget Proposal before the House of Representatives Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation at the National Assembly, Abuja.
Prof. Utsev, in his presentation, highlighted that the Ministry remains committed to advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through strategic investments in water supply, sanitation, irrigation, dams, hydropower development, and flood and drought mitigation.
He informed the Committee that the Ministry had a total allocation of ₦146.78 billion in the 2025 fiscal year, with ₦142.22 billion earmarked for capital expenditure.
He noted that some capital warrants had been released and were awaiting cash-backing.
The Minister, in a statement by the Director, Information and Public Relations of the Ministry, Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, assured the Committee that procurement processes for ongoing projects were at an advanced stages to ensure prompt implementation of projects.
Prof. Utsev also briefed the House on the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project, a World Bank-sponsored initiative designed to strengthen dam safety and improve the management of water resources for hydropower and irrigation in Nigeria.
He disclosed that 26 states have indicated interest in the project, while 23 states that have met the selection criteria have already been onboarded, signaling strong nationwide commitment toward boosting agricultural production and renewable energy generation.
While presenting the 2026 proposal, the Minister emphasized that priority in 2026 would be given to the completion of ongoing dams and irrigation projects to strengthen food security; the expansion of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions and the drive to end Open Defecation; and the implementation of flood and drought mitigation measures.
Other priority areas include Public-Private Partnerships for dams and hydropower projects, as well as collaboration with international development partners to scale up sustainable water management initiatives.
Speaking on the key achievements of the Ministry, Prof. Utsev noted that significant milestones recorded include the completion of the Kashimbilla Multipurpose Dam, with hydropower generation contributing to the national grid; a combined 110MW hydropower generation from Kashimbilla, Gurara, and Dadin Kowa Dams; the delivery of 2,000 hectares of irrigable land to farmers at Dadin Kowa; and the construction and rehabilitation of over 6,700 water schemes nationwide.
Other achievements include the certification of 168 Local Government Areas as Open Defecation Free, as well as the expansion of SURWASH and PEWASH programmes across 17 states and the FCT.
The Honourable Minister expressed appreciation to the Committee for its continued support and reiterated that, with adequate funding, the Ministry will continue to deliver impactful projects that will enhance food security, improve access to potable water, strengthen sanitation services, generate employment, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic growth.
The House Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation, Chaired by Deputy Chairman Mukhtar Chawai, and supported by other members of the Committee, adopted the Ministry’s 2025 Budget Implementation Report with amendments as presented by the Honourable Minister.
Similarly, the Committee received the 2026 Budget Proposal as a working document for further legislative consideration.
In a significant development, the Committee aligned with the Ministry and resolved to set up a joint committee comprising members of the House, the Ministry, and relevant water resources stakeholders to ascertain the status of dams and irrigation projects nationwide.
Technical Directors of the Ministry were also present at the meeting.
