Engineers have advocated stronger water governance, increased investment and innovative solutions to address Nigeria’s growing water security challenges and build a resilient future.

The experts, under the auspices of the Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers (NIWE), spoke at the 9th NIWE International Water Conference 2026 in Abuja, themed: ‘Effective Water Governance and Security: Innovating for a Resilient Future’.

They lamented that despite Nigeria’s abundant water resources, the country continues to grapple with inadequate infrastructure, pollution, flooding, drought, inefficient distribution networks, poor management and limited investment in the sector.

The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Ali Rabiu, described water as fundamental to human existence, public health, food security, industrial development, economic growth and environmental sustainability.

He said Nigeria’s water resources were under increasing pressure from climate change, rapid urbanisation and population growth, requiring a shift from conventional approaches to water management.

Rabiu urged engineers and other stakeholders to embrace innovation, technology and climate-resilient infrastructure to improve water security.

He also called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, professional bodies, academia, the private sector and development partners, alongside integrated water resources management that recognises the links between water, energy, agriculture, the environment and human development.

Rabiu pledged the NSE’s support for research, knowledge exchange, professional excellence and sustainable infrastructure development in the water sector.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ali Dala, commended NIWE for sustaining the conference as a platform for professional dialogue and knowledge exchange.

Utsev described the theme as timely and strategic to Nigeria’s development agenda, saying the government was repositioning the water sector as a major driver of economic and social development.

He said the government was focused on expanding access to water, promoting dam safety, strengthening irrigation and improving flood management through collaboration among governments, the private sector, academia and development partners.

The National Chairman of NIWE, Joshua Sanga, said the sector faced complex challenges, including inadequate access to safe water, sanitation deficits, flooding, drought, groundwater depletion, climate variability, ageing infrastructure and increasing pressure on available water resources.

He said the challenges required innovative and resilient solutions backed by effective governance and strong professional leadership. Sanga added that NIWE had inaugurated new chapters in Bauchi, Kaduna, Awka and Ilorin, expanding its professional reach across the country.