By Desire Uzochukwu
Nigeria’s rivers are coming under increasing pressure from pollution, urbanisation, untreated wastewater, indiscriminate waste disposal and other human activities, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, has warned.
Utsev raised the concern on Monday in Abuja while speaking at a media briefing to mark the 2026 World Rivers Day, observed under the theme, “No Forests, No Rivers, No Water, No Life.”
The Minister said rivers remained critical to Nigeria’s survival and development, supporting agriculture, domestic and industrial water supply, fisheries, biodiversity and livelihoods.
He, however, warned that population growth, urbanisation, untreated wastewater, indiscriminate dumping of solid waste, agricultural runoff, erosion and sand mining were putting increasing pressure on the country’s rivers.
According to him, the situation is further compounded by climate change, including changing rainfall patterns and more frequent flooding and drought.
Utsev said the challenges demanded a shift from fragmented interventions to an integrated approach to the management of the country’s watersheds and water resources.
“For us as a nation, this occasion carries profound significance. Our rivers are not merely channels through which water flows; they are the lifeblood of our communities and ecosystems,” he said.
“They support agriculture and food production, provide water for domestic and industrial use, sustain fisheries and biodiversity, support livelihoods, and contribute to economic development.
“Healthy rivers depend on healthy catchments.”
Pollution threatens public health
The Minister stressed that protecting rivers was inseparable from protecting public health, particularly as untreated sewage and wastewater continue to find their way into waterways.
“There can be no meaningful conversation about healthy rivers without addressing sanitation,” he said.
“When untreated sewage and wastewater enter our rivers, the consequences extend beyond environmental degradation; they threaten public health, affect livelihoods, compromise water supplies and place additional burdens on communities.”
He said the Federal Government was strengthening Integrated Water Resources Management and working with relevant agencies to protect and restore watersheds and river catchments.
Utsev also emphasised the need for cooperation among the Federal, State and Local Governments, communities, traditional institutions, the private sector, development partners and civil society.
“Our rivers do not respect administrative boundaries; activities upstream can have significant consequences for communities downstream,” he said.
He said the ministry was also strengthening its capacity to collect, analyse and use data on rainfall, river flows, groundwater and water quality to support evidence-based water management.
Stop dumping waste into waterways
Utsev called for stronger action against pollution and degradation of rivers and catchment areas, urging Nigerians to change practices that threaten the country’s water resources.
He called for an end to open defecation and indiscriminate dumping of refuse, plastics and harmful effluents into waterways.
He also urged Nigerians to protect forests and wetlands that sustain river sources, promote responsible wastewater management and sanitation, and use water efficiently.
The Minister said the Federal Government’s “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” Campaign remained an important component of efforts to improve sanitation.
He further called for increased investment in research, innovation, monitoring and reliable water data, stressing that effective management depended on accurate information.
“Above all, we must educate our children and young people so that they understand one fundamental truth: the story of our rivers is the story of our water, our environment, our health, our economy and ultimately, our lives,” Utsev said.
The Minister also said the Clean Nigeria Campaign had recorded measurable progress and appealed to the media to intensify public awareness and support behavioural change.
“Keeping plastics, refuse and other pollutants out of our drains, streams and rivers is not simply an environmental responsibility; it is a contribution to protecting public health and securing the future of our communities,” he added.
