By Abiodun Folarin
WorldStage— The Federal Government has warned that the continued degradation of Nigeria’s forests, rivers and other water ecosystems poses a growing threat to the country’s water security, food production, livelihoods and economic development.
The warning was issued on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation as Nigeria joined the global community to commemorate the 2026 World Rivers Day with the theme: “No Forests, No Rivers; No Water, No Life.”
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, said Nigeria’s rivers were under increasing pressure from pollution, indiscriminate waste disposal, urbanisation, erosion, sand mining and climate change.
He said the government was strengthening efforts to protect the country’s water resources through Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), watershed protection and improved water-quality monitoring.
Utsev also stressed the link between sanitation and the health of Nigeria’s rivers, disclosing that 179 Local Government Areas have been validated as Open Defecation Free, while more than 5,238 public sanitation facilities have been constructed nationwide under the Ministry’s Clean Nigeria Campaign: Use the Toilet programme.
He urged Nigerians, particularly youths and the media, to support efforts to end open defecation, prevent pollution of waterways and protect forests and wetlands as part of measures to safeguard the country’s water resources.
According to the Minister, stronger collaboration among federal and state governments, local communities, development partners, the private sector and civil society was required to address the environmental pressures threatening Nigeria’s rivers.
The Ministry commemorated the event with a media briefing by the Minister and a symbolic river-cleaning and riverside memorial tree-planting exercise at Wupa River, Gbesa Community, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Ali Dallah, said the theme highlighted the interdependence between healthy forests, rivers and sustainable water resources.
Dallah said the choice of Wupa River for the celebration was intended to underscore the need to move beyond advocacy to practical action in protecting and restoring Nigeria’s water bodies.
He said the Ministry remained committed to sustainable water resources management and stronger stakeholder collaboration, stressing that protecting the nation’s rivers was a collective responsibility.
In her vote of thanks, the Director of River Basin Operations and Inspectorate, Engr. Christy Oduh, appreciated the Minister, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, directors, Chief Executives of River Basin Development Authorities and other stakeholders for their participation in the commemoration.
