World Rivers Day: Nigeria’s rivers face rising pollution — Minister
By Gabriel Ewepu
ABUJA — The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, has warned that Nigeria’s rivers are facing increasing pollution pressure from population growth, urbanisation, untreated wastewater and other human activities.
Utsev spoke on Monday as Nigeria joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2026 World Rivers Day, with the theme, “No Forests, No Rivers, No Water, No Life.”
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, the minister said rivers remained critical to human survival, environmental sustainability and national development, supporting agriculture, domestic and industrial water supply, fisheries, biodiversity and livelihoods.
He, however, said the nation’s rivers were under growing pressure from indiscriminate dumping of solid waste, agricultural runoff, erosion, sand mining and untreated wastewater, alongside the effects of climate change.
According to him, the challenges require an integrated and sustainable approach to the management of watersheds and water resources.
“Our rivers are not merely channels through which water flows; they are the lifeblood of our communities and ecosystems,” Utsev said.
He said the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation was strengthening Integrated Water Resources Management across the country while working with relevant agencies to protect and restore watersheds and river catchments.
Utsev stressed the need for cooperation among the Federal, state and local governments, communities, traditional institutions, the private sector, development partners and civil society, noting that activities upstream could have significant consequences for downstream communities.
He also linked river pollution to sanitation challenges, warning that untreated sewage and wastewater entering waterways could threaten public health, livelihoods and water supplies.
“There can be no meaningful conversation about healthy rivers without addressing sanitation,” he said.
The minister called for an end to open defecation and indiscriminate dumping of refuse, plastics and harmful effluents into waterways.
He also urged Nigerians to protect and restore forests and wetlands, promote responsible wastewater management, use water efficiently and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders.
Utsev said the ministry was improving its capacity to collect, analyse and use data on rainfall, river flows, groundwater and water quality, stressing that evidence-based water management was necessary to address emerging challenges.
He further said the Federal Government’s “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign had recorded measurable progress, while appealing to the media to intensify public awareness on sanitation and environmental protection.
“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.
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