Urbanisation, pollution threaten water quality in Abuja – Experts
Experts at the just-concluded Annual Water Quality Conference in Abuja have raised concerns that rapid urbanisation, pollution and other environmental and climatic factors are threatening water quality across cities in Nigeria, including Abuja. The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, highlighted the growing threats posed by flooding, drought, pollution and […]
Experts at the just-concluded Annual Water Quality Conference in Abuja have raised concerns that rapid urbanisation, pollution and other environmental and climatic factors are threatening water quality across cities in Nigeria, including Abuja.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, highlighted the growing threats posed by flooding, drought, pollution and rapid urbanisation, stressing that water quantity and quality must be managed in an integrated and climate-resilient manner.
Speaking at the 2026 Annual Water Quality Conference in Abuja, the minister described the event as a critical national platform for dialogue, collaboration and knowledge exchange among stakeholders working to safeguard Nigeria’s water resources.
He emphasised the need for science-based approaches and stronger partnerships to address emerging challenges affecting both surface and groundwater systems.
Also speaking, Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria Plc, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to water stewardship, collaboration and sustainable practices.
She noted the launch of the National Water Quality Handbook, developed in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and OPS-WASH, as a key tool for strengthening standards and promoting best practices.
The conference, organised in collaboration with partners including SURWASH, UNICEF, WaterAid, Nestlé Nigeria, OPS-WASH and the Society for Family Health (SFH), aims to address critical issues such as access to clean water, climate impacts on water quality, adoption of “One Health” approaches, and strategies for building resilience against contamination risks.