From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Terlumun Utsev, has issued a strong call for nationwide action to safeguard the country’s rivers.
The Minister made the call in Abuja during the official commemoration of World Rivers Day 2025, observed globally on the fourth Sunday of September and shifted to Monday in Nigeria to allow for wider participation.
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah stressed that river protection is not only an environmental concern, but also a matter of national health, food security, and economic resilience.
Speaking under the theme “Clean Rivers, Healthy Communities,” Prof. Utsev warned against the continued abuse of river systems across Nigeria through indiscriminate waste disposal, pollution, and poor sanitation practices.
“Our rivers are not refuse dumps. Our rivers must not be polluted with sewage, effluents, or open defecation. Protecting our rivers is safeguarding ourselves, our health, and our economy,” he stated.
The Minister emphasized that healthy rivers play a critical role in sustaining ecosystems, agriculture, water supply, and public health, stating that they are central to Nigeria’s development agenda.
Prof. Utsev highlighted that the notable progress has been recorded in the sector which includes the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign and has led to 151 Local Government Areas (LGAs) being declared Open Defecation Free (ODF), with 21 states recording major milestones.
Others are the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (PEWASH) has expanded safe water access in rural communities, the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme has scaled up investments in sustainable sanitation infrastructure across pilot states, reducing pollution risks to nearby rivers.
The Minister explained that the country’s River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) are actively implementing Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) principles, along with tree planting, riverbank protection, and small-scale irrigation to improve river health and boost food production.
Prof. Utsev noted that these efforts directly align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of Nigerians through food security, job creation, and clean environments.
“These are not just projects. They are deliberate steps toward healthier rivers and communities. Clean rivers mean safe irrigation, cleaner environments, stronger families, and improved public health,” the Minister said.
The Minister who acknowledged ongoing challenges in access to safe water and adequate sanitation emphasized the need for continued investment, policy enforcement, and behavioural change to protect river ecosystems from further degradation.
According to the Minister, the ministry is looking ahead on achieving nationwide ODF status by 2030, Promote climate-smart sanitation systems that can withstand flooding, Strengthening collaboration with States, LGAs, civil society, private sector, and river advocacy groups as well as encourage community-led river clean-ups, riparian restoration, and pollution control initiatives.
“We must continuously advocate for integrated urban planning that connects sanitation, drainage, and climate resilience,” he added.
Professor Utsev who called on Nigerians, government, private sector, the civil society, and citizens to protect the rivers reminded Nigerians that “rivers are integral to all life.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, represented by the Director Reforms Coordination in the Ministry, Moses Jo-Madugu added that rivers are vital ecosystems that support life, drive economic growth, and hold deep cultural and social significance.
The celebration of the World Rivers Day 2025 with the planting of trees at the Gbesa community in Kuje Area Council. comes with a clear message that clean rivers build healthy communities and would guarantee a cleaner, safer Nigeria for generations to come.
