Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has charged stakeholders on a more deliberate and coordinated action for water security and conservation, emphasising the urgency of mitigating the effects of climate change.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja to mark the 2025 World Water Day, Utsev underscored the critical role of water in sustaining life and driving national development.

This year’s World Water Day theme, “Glacier Preservation,” draws attention to the rapid melting of glaciers and its far-reaching consequences. Utsev, however, noted that Nigeria does not have glaciers, but acknowledged that their disappearance poses a significant threat to global weather systems, leading to erratic rainfall, rising sea levels, and extreme weather conditions that directly impact the country.

The minister cited predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which indicate that rainfall patterns in 2025 would be increasingly unpredictable, with devastating implications for agriculture, water availability, and environmental stability.

According to him, the loss of glaciers has contributed to rising temperatures, intensifying desertification in Northern Nigeria, further straining already scarce water resources.

He added that coastal areas, particularly in Lagos, Bayelsa, and Rivers states, face heightened risks of flooding and land erosion due to rising sea levels.
He explained that agricultural production is also under threat, as reduced water supply affects irrigation systems, leading to lower crop yields and food insecurity.

With over 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population engaged in agriculture, the consequences of water scarcity are severe, posing a major risk to livelihoods and economic stability.

The minister, however, said in response to these challenges, the Federal Government had implemented a series of policies and programmes to strengthen water security across the federation.

Similarly, in remarks, UNESCO Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, has issued a global call to action, warning that glacier loss poses a significant threat to water security, food production, and global climate stability.

Chief of WASH at UNICEF, Dr Jane Bevan, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian government in tackling climate-related water challenges.

IN a related development, the Lagos State chapter of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has tasked authorities across all levels of authority to ensure innovative management strategies for efficient conservation and long-term water security in the country.

Its Chairman, Dr. Atinuke Owolabi, gave the charge at the weekend on the occasion of the 2025 World Water Day. She stressed that the rapid melting of ice masses due to climate change has far-reaching consequences for the country.

Increasing melting glaciers, she noted, are causing uncertainty to water flows, with profound impacts on people and the planet.

Experts say global reductions in carbon emissions and local strategies to adapt to shrinking glaciers are essential. APWEN said stakeholders, including professional engineers, must work together to put glacier preservation at the “core of our plans to tackle climate change and the global water crisis.”