The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing the burden on the girl-child by expanding access to safe water and sanitation, declaring that improved water security remains central to gender equality and national development.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, stated this, yesterday, in Abuja during a media briefing to commemorate the 2026 World Water Day.

Utsev, who spoke at this year’s World Water Day, themed “Water and Gender: Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” noted that inadequate access to water disproportionately affects women and girls, exposing them to health risks, limiting their educational opportunities, and increasing unpaid care responsibilities.

He stressed that ensuring reliable and inclusive water systems would significantly ease these burdens and enhance the dignity and productivity of the girl-child.

The minister disclosed that the ministry had constructed and rehabilitated over 6,700 water schemes nationwide, providing safe drinking water to more than 32 million Nigerians.

He added that about 500 additional projects, including solar-powered boreholes, storage systems, and reticulation networks, had been implemented across underserved communities where women and girls are most affected by water scarcity.

Utsev, however, said that the government had intensified efforts under the Clean Nigeria Campaign, with over 5,200 public sanitation facilities constructed and 162 local councils declared open defecation free.

He emphasised that improved sanitation and hygiene are critical to safeguarding the health, safety, and dignity of women and girls.

He, therefore, urged stakeholders, including government agencies, development partners, civil society organisations and the private sector to intensify collaboration to ensure that no Nigerian, especially women and girls, is left behind in access to safe water and sanitation.

In his remark, UNICEF WASH Manager, Chiranjibi Tiwari, described Nigeria’s water crisis as a gender crisis, noting that women and girls continue to bear the heaviest burden where access is limited.

He also called for stronger implementation of gender-sensitive water policies, improved data collection, and targeted interventions to address disparities in the sector.

UNESCO representative, Dr Enang Moma, while presenting the 2026 United Nations World Water Development Report, underscored the global and national urgency of water challenges.

The report, themed “Water for All People, Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities,” identified gender inequality as a major barrier to equitable water access and sustainable development.

According to the report, about 60 million Nigerians still lack access to safe drinking water, forcing many households to rely on unsafe sources or purchase water daily.

Meanwhile, an expert in water governance, Dr David Tola Winjobi, has revealed that over 70 per cent of rural households in Oyo State depend on unsafe water sources, raising concerns over rising health risks and deepening poverty in affected communities.

Winjobi, who is the National Coordinator of Fairaction Nigeria, disclosed this during the 2026 World Water Day celebration held in Arulogun, Akinyele Local Council of the state.

According to him, a significant number of residents in rural areas rely on contaminated sources, such as rivers, streams, ponds, and unprotected wells, for their daily water needs, exposing them to water-borne diseases and other health challenges.

He also decried the poor state of infrastructure in many rural communities, noting that the absence of functional health facilities, electricity, and good road networks has compounded the challenges faced by residents.

Winjobi, therefore, urged the Oyo State Government to prioritise investment in water infrastructure, improve supply systems, and increase budgetary allocation to the sector.

The expert also advocated stronger collaboration between government, communities, and non-governmental organisations to develop sustainable solutions, including the deployment of solar-powered water systems to underserved areas.