The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, alongside Nestlé Nigeria Plc, UNICEF, WaterAid, and the Society for Family Health (SFH), launched the National Water Quality Handbook on Tuesday in Abuja. The handbook was unveiled at the 2026 Annual Water Quality Conference, themed "Water Quality in a Changing Climate: Policies, Innovation and Practice." Minister Joseph Terlumun Utsev stated that climate change is already disrupting rainfall patterns and increasing extreme weather events, which in turn affect water quality. He explained that flooding spreads pollutants, droughts concentrate contaminants, and poor waste management worsens the situation.
Utsev said the handbook promotes science-based, climate-resilient approaches to water management and supports policy coherence across sectors. A National Water Quality Dashboard is also being integrated into the WASH Information Management System to boost transparency and planning. Representing Nestlé Nigeria, Victoria Uwadoka emphasized water's role in public health and economic development, noting that the company views water stewardship as vital to its operations. She described the handbook as a practical tool for policymakers, regulators, and communities to apply best practices consistently. Senate Committee Chairman Kenneth Eze highlighted climate change's damage to freshwater systems and pledged legislative and funding support for innovative solutions like solar-powered water systems.
A minister acknowledging climate change as a present threat, not a future risk, marks a shift in official tone. Joseph Terlumun Utsev's statement reflects a growing alignment with scientific reality, but the real test lies in implementation. The handbook and proposed dashboard mean little without enforcement muscle and funding follow-through. For Nigerians drinking from polluted sources, promises of policy coherence won't stop cholera outbreaks.
