Nigeria and Hungary have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen academic and technical cooperation in water management, innovation, and climate resilience.
The agreement, signed between the Budapest University of Technology and Economics and Nigeria’s National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), Kaduna, was a key highlight of the Nigeria–Hungary Water Forum held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The forum, attended by government officials, engineers, and researchers, aimed to deepen collaboration in water management, technological innovation, and sustainable solutions to address Nigeria’s water-related challenges.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, described the MoU as a significant step toward improving technical capacity, research collaboration, and innovation in water resources development.
He said the partnership would promote advanced training for Nigerian engineers, support joint research on water security and climate adaptation, and enhance expertise exchange in flood control and basin management.
Utsev noted that the renewed engagement built on an earlier 2016 MoU, which established a framework for knowledge sharing and cooperation in water resource management between both countries.
He explained that Nigeria faces increasing water challenges caused by rapid population growth, urbanisation, and climate change, leading to flooding and limited access to safe water, especially in rural areas.
Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the minister said, the Federal Government had prioritised water security and sanitation as key components of national development and poverty reduction strategies.
Utsev added that collaboration with Hungary complements projects such as the River Basin Revitalisation Programme and ongoing flood control works along the River Niger and other major water basins.
According to him, Hungary’s experience in water engineering, wastewater treatment, and flood management will support Nigeria’s efforts to reform and modernise its water infrastructure.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to work with Hungarian firms to develop sustainable projects that enhance water supply, agriculture, and environmental protection through innovative solutions.
In his remarks, the Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Lóránd Endreffy, described the forum as a milestone in bilateral relations and pledged Hungary’s readiness to share its expertise and technology.
Endreffy said Hungary’s advanced water infrastructure and strong engineering tradition make it a dependable partner in Nigeria’s transformation of its water sector.
He acknowledged Nigeria’s water-related challenges, worsened by urbanisation and climate change, but commended the country’s determination to pursue innovative, long-term solutions.
The ambassador added that Hungary’s expertise in flood management and treatment technologies would complement Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its water systems and build resilience.
The Nigeria–Hungary Water Forum also featured technical sessions, case studies, and presentations from national agencies and universities on flood control, rural water supply, and climate adaptation strategies.
