By Abdullahi Lukman
The Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC) has announced plans to digitise water use licensing and monitoring as part of reforms introduced within the first 100 days of its Executive Director, Dr Aminu Zaria.
Zaria disclosed this in Abuja while briefing journalists on achievements recorded since assuming office, describing the move as a key step toward strengthening national water security.
He said the commission, established under the Water Resources Act, regulates and controls the development and use of water resources shared by more than one state, with responsibilities covering water abstraction licensing, allocation planning, monitoring, enforcement, catchment management and aquifer protection.
Zaria recalled that upon assuming office on Sept. 1, 2025, the commission faced major challenges, including poor infrastructure, inadequate staffing, fragmented data systems, manual licensing processes, weak enforcement, low staff morale and funding constraints.
He said these issues threatened effective water governance amid rising national demand.
The executive director recalled further that immediate reforms were initiated with ministerial support to restore order, strengthen systems, empower staff and rebuild public confidence.
Measures taken, he said, included staff town hall meetings, inauguration of a think tank team, revival of field and catchment offices and the introduction of the Professionalism, Adeptness, Consistency and Excellence (PACE) Agenda to improve service delivery.
Zaria said partnerships were strengthened with key stakeholders to enhance collaboration, capacity building and data sharing, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Kano State Water Board to improve subnational water governance.
He added that staff welfare was improved through salary reviews for security and janitorial personnel.
The executive director said the reforms led to improved data availability, stronger inter-agency coordination, revived catchment operations and increased staff efficiency, making the commission more stable and strategically positioned.
Looking ahead, Zaria said NIWRMC would deploy a National Water Use Licensing Digital Portal, expand monitoring networks across catchments and establish a national real-time water data observatory.
The NIWRMC boss added that community-level compliance would be strengthened through partnerships with state governments, traditional institutions and water users.
He reaffirmed his commitment to leading a transparent, accountable and technology-driven commission aligned with national development priorities.
