Nigeria’s Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has outlined the progress made in improving the water and sanitation sectors since he assumed office approximately two years ago.
During a ministerial briefing in Abuja, Minister Utsev, a professor of water engineering, stated that the Tinubu administration’s policies and programs have revitalized the sector.
He noted that many previously abandoned or obsolete infrastructure projects have been addressed. Following a directive from the President, the ministry assessed the agencies’ successes and challenges.
Several key achievements were highlighted:
- Dam Completion and Commissioning: Three dams have been completed and commissioned: the Rafin Yashin Multipurpose Dam (Niger State), the Odo-Ape Hydropower Dam (Kogi State), and the Amla Otukpo Dam (Benue State). These dams are providing water for irrigation, water supply, and flood control.
- Public-Private Partnerships: The 40MW Kashimbilla Hydropower and Kashimbilla Integrated Cargo/Agro-Allied Airport in Taraba State have been concessioned under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. Two additional dam and hydropower projects, the 460MW Katsina-Ala hydropower project (Benue State) and the 20MW Farin Ruwa hydropower project (Nasarawa State), are in the process of PPP concession.
- Alau Dam Reconstruction: The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved funding for the reconstruction and upgrade of the Alau Dam, including irrigation and hydropower components. The project was launched on March 1, 2025.
- Dam Assessments and Rehabilitation: Efforts are underway to assess the condition of dams nationwide. Studies and designs are ongoing for the construction/rehabilitation of several dams, including Dura dam (Benue State), Lafia dam (Nasarawa State), Ado Awaye dam (Oyo State), and Galmara dam (Bauchi State). The Datsin Hausa dam (Adamawa State) is a priority due to flooding from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon; a transaction advisor is being procured for its construction.
- Dams at Advanced Stages of Completion: 14 dams are at advanced stages of completion, including Mangu dam (Plateau), Ogbese dam (Ekiti), and Adada Dam (Enugu).
- Irrigation Projects: Five irrigation projects are at various stages of completion, including Middle Rima Valley (Sokoto), Tada Shonga (Kwara), Middle Ogun (Oyo), Lower Ogun (Ogun), and Chouchi (Adamawa). Eight drip/micro irrigation projects are also underway.
- Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN) Project: The Ministry is collaborating with state governments on the SPIN project, which will rehabilitate and modernize selected dam and irrigation projects. 20 states have expressed interest.
- River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs): The RBDAs have developed irrigation infrastructure for 154,000 hectares, providing jobs for 1,658,576 farmers. 4,429.36 hectares have been leased to commercial farmers.
The Minister emphasized that these irrigation projects and the RBDAs’ efforts are crucial for boosting food production and power generation, achieving food security, and reducing reliance on rain-fed agriculture.
