The high-level meeting, convened by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in collaboration with the African Ministerial Council on Water, is taking place in Abuja and brings together ministers, technical experts, development partners, and regional stakeholders.
Declaring the consultation open, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, who also serves as AMCOW Vice President for West Africa, described Nigeria as “privileged” to host the strategic engagement. He noted that the country remains committed to advancing Africa’s collective water and sanitation agenda.
Utsev emphasized that the Africa Water Vision 2063 provides a transformative framework for achieving sustainable development and inclusive growth, aligning with the broader goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
He commended the African Union Commission and AMCOW for successfully launching the initiative at the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, describing it as a landmark step toward prioritizing water security and sanitation as key drivers of Africa’s long-term development.
The minister highlighted growing pressures on water resources due to rapid urbanization, climate variability, and increasing demand, stressing the need for coordinated regional action to close gaps in access to safe water and sanitation.
According to him, the consultation will define regional priorities and measurable targets, develop harmonized policy and financing frameworks, identify investment opportunities, and strengthen implementation and accountability mechanisms.
Utsev also outlined Nigeria’s ongoing interventions in the sector, including the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme, the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH), the Clean Nigeria Campaign, and the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project.
In his welcome address, Chair of the Technical Advisory Committee, Mr. Segun Mukaila Babarinde, described the meeting as a critical milestone in translating the vision into actionable outcomes. He urged participants to contribute expertise and share best practices to develop a pragmatic and inclusive roadmap for the region.
Also speaking, Dr. Nyambe Nyambe of the African Union Commission, in a statement by the Director Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, highlighted challenges such as urbanization, informal settlements, and water pollution, calling for stronger measures to protect water resources and prevent conflicts.
Mr. Kouassi Alexis of the Economic Community of West African States reaffirmed regional commitment to the initiative, noting efforts to update the bloc’s 2008 water policy and announcing plans for a regional water forum in Abidjan.
AMCOW official Mr. Nelson Gomonda described the designation of water and sanitation as the African Union’s Theme for 2026 as a historic development, urging member states to develop national implementation plans to ensure ownership and accountability.
The consultation, which runs until April 23, is expected to produce outcomes that will inform regional and continental policy dialogues and guide investments toward achieving water security, climate resilience, and universal access to sanitation across Africa.