By Abdulllahi Lukman
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving dam safety, strengthening water security and enhancing climate resilience through the sustainable development and
management of Nigeria’s more than 200 large dams.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE, disclosed this at the 2026 National Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Committee on Large Dams (NICOLD), held in Abuja.
The Minister, who was represented by the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Ali Ibrahim Dallah, FNSE, said the government recognises dams as critical national assets that support agricultural production, hydropower generation, flood control and economic development.
He identified the World Bank-supported Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project as a major intervention aimed at improving dam safety, modernising irrigation infrastructure and expanding the country’s hydropower capacity.
Utsev further stressed the need for routine dam inspections, preventive maintenance, climate-resilient engineering designs and improved flood forecasting through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) to ensure the sustainability of the nation’s water infrastructure.
He urged participants to translate the discussions and recommendations of the conference into practical measures that would improve dam management and strengthen the country’s capacity to address water-related challenges.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Ali Ibrahim Dallah, represented by the Director II, Department of Dams and Reservoirs, Stella Arachie, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to building institutional capacity, enhancing dam safety and promoting integrated water resources management.
He commended NICOLD for its contributions to professional development, technical knowledge sharing and the promotion of international best practices in dam engineering, assuring the committee of the Ministry’s continued support and collaboration.
Earlier, the President of NICOLD, Engr. Johnson Adewumi, highlighted the committee’s contributions to major dam projects, the training of Nigerian engineers and partnerships with international professional bodies, including the Canadian Dam Association.
Adewumi called for increased private-sector participation, the adoption of modern technologies and environmentally sustainable engineering practices to address emerging challenges associated with climate change, flooding and drought.
The conference brought together government officials, engineering professionals and other stakeholders in the water resources and dam engineering sector to exchange technical knowledge and explore strategies for improving Nigeria’s dam infrastructure, water security and climate resilience.
