The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in expanding access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene services across the country.
Utsev gave the assurance on Friday in Abuja when he received the new UNICEF Country Representative, Ms. Wafaa Saeed, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the ministry.
Commending UNICEF’s long-standing support, the minister said the collaboration aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and would remain a priority, especially in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector.
He noted that the ministry would compile and share details of its achievements in dams, irrigation, water quality, and WASH programmes to enable UNICEF to identify fresh areas of intervention.
Permanent Secretary, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, and several directors of the ministry echoed the minister’s remarks, stressing the importance of UNICEF’s role in initiatives such as World Water Day activities and the promotion of water quality for irrigation.
In her remarks, Ms. Saeed said her visit was to better understand the ministry’s priorities and explore ways UNICEF could provide targeted support. She emphasized the centrality of safe water and sanitation to health, education, and economic growth, while also pointing to the potential of water resources for hydropower and increased government revenue in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She assured that UNICEF would continue to strengthen its collaboration with Nigeria in these areas.
Also present at the meeting were senior directors of the ministry, including Mrs. Elizabeth Ugoh, Engr. Esther Oyeronke Oluniyi, Engr. Adeyinka Adenopo, Mrs. Stella Arachie, Mr. Chuks Mbaike, and Engr. Habu Hassan.
