馃嚦馃嚞Punch Nigeria路2 mins ago
Federal Government seeks stronger climate financing for water and sanitation services
The Federal Government of Nigeria has called for increased climate financing to enhance the country's water, sanitation, and hygiene WASH systems, emphasizing that greater investment is crucial for protecting communities from climate change impacts. This call was made by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, at the 2026 Annual National Climate Change and WASH Conference in Abuja. The Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to integrating climate-resilient WASH systems into Nigeria鈥檚 climate adaptation agenda, stating that resilient water and sanitation systems are essential for water security, public health, food security, and economic growth. He highlighted Nigeria鈥檚 updated Nationally Determined Contribution NDC 3.0 as an opportunity to make WASH a central pillar of the country鈥檚 climate response. The conference, themed "Water, Sanitation and Hygiene WASH Systems at the Frontline of Climate Change: Aligning NDC 3.0 with National Adaptation Priorities," was organized by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in partnership with WaterAid, UNICEF, and the World Bank-supported SURWASH Programme. Discussions focused on practical strategies for mainstreaming climate-resilient WASH into Nigeria鈥檚 National Adaptation Planning process and the implementation of NDC 3.0. Climate change is increasingly disrupting access to safe water and sanitation in Nigeria through recurrent flooding, droughts, desertification, and changing rai