By Abdullahi Lukman
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has called for greater use of technology and innovation to tackle Nigeria’s water challenges, as the country strengthens collaboration with Hungary on water engineering, flood control, and climate resilience.
Speaking at the Nigerian–Hungarian Water Forum held in Abuja on Tuesday, Prof. Utsev said the partnership marks a new phase in bilateral cooperation aimed at promoting sustainable water management and building resilience against climate impacts.
“Our engagement today is not just timely, it is visionary,” the Minister said. “We are deepening our commitment to capacity development, research collaboration, and the practical deployment of scalable water solutions that will improve lives and strengthen resilience.”
He explained that the collaboration aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes universal access to safe drinking water, effective sanitation, and national water security.
In a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Ministry, Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, the forum was described as a significant step forward in Nigeria’s pursuit of sustainable water development and climate resilience. She said the outcomes of the engagement would enhance innovation, build institutional capacity, and drive knowledge exchange in the water sector.
A major highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), Kaduna, and the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BUTE). The agreement covers training, research collaboration, and the exchange of expertise in flood management, hydro-informatics, and water engineering.
Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Lóránd Endreffy, described the forum as a “historic milestone” in bilateral relations, commending Nigeria’s determination to embrace innovative and adaptive water management solutions.
Experts from both countries, including Dr. Abduljalal Danbaba of NWRI, Dr. Márk Honti of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and representatives from NEMA and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, presented technical papers on flood forecasting and water system innovation.
Utsev urged stakeholders to turn the discussions into concrete action through well-defined implementation frameworks and investment commitments that directly benefit Nigerians.