The Federal Government has intensified efforts to tackle Nigeria’s water and sanitation challenges by launching the first-ever annual Water Quality Conference.
Themed “Safe Water for Sustainable Public Health,” the conference brought together stakeholders from government, academia, and the private sector to discuss strategies for ensuring universal access to clean water.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, emphasized the critical role of water quality in national development and public health. He referenced findings from the Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene National Outcomes Routine Monitoring Report (2021), which revealed that 37% of Nigerian households rely on boreholes and tube wells as their main water source, while only 11% have access to pipe-borne water. Alarmingly, 25% of the population still depends on unimproved and surface water sources, posing serious health risks.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving access to safe water and sanitation services through increased investment in water infrastructure and public awareness campaigns.
