Nigerian Government, UNESCO Join Forces to Advance Groundwater Management

The Federal Government, UNESCO, and other partners have pledged their support for groundwater management to ensure water security.

This commitment was made during a two-day validation and capacity-building workshop organized by UNESCO.

Groundwater refers to water located beneath the Earth’s surface, fully saturated. It is commonly stored in aquifers—bodies of water-saturated sediment or rock that allow water to flow easily.

The event, held in Abuja on Wednesday, was organized in collaboration with the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) in Kaduna and the Regional Centre for Integrated River Basin Management (RC-IRBM).

The workshop focused on the sub-project titled “Improving Groundwater Governance towards Achieving Sustainable Water Security for Human Settlements in Nigeria.”

This initiative is part of the UNESCO Korean Fund-in-Trust (K-FIT) funded project, “Water Security for Human Settlements in Developing Countries under Climate Change.”

The goal is to enhance knowledge-based management and governance of groundwater resources to help Nigeria achieve sustainable water security for its settlements while building resilience to the effects of climate change.

Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, emphasized that achieving sustainable water solutions at the local, regional, and global levels requires creativity, new scientific knowledge, discoveries, and innovation.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Richard Pheelangwah, Utsev said the workshop would strengthen the capacity of groundwater experts on the tools developed by UNESCO.

“The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation will support any effort aimed at delivering insight into modern approaches for sustainably managing our vast groundwater resources, for increased water access and coverage,” he said.

He emphasized that the recommendations from the workshop should align with national priorities regarding sustainable water security, climate change adaptability for human settlements in Nigeria, and groundwater quality.

Mr. Albert Mendy, Head of UNESCO’s Abuja Office, reiterated the vital role groundwater plays as a natural resource, supporting ecosystems, agriculture, livelihoods, and the well-being of human communities.

Speaking through Dr. Enang Moma, Head of the Science Sector, Mendy referenced the 2022 UN World Water Development Report, which highlighted that groundwater accounts for 99 percent of the world’s liquid freshwater.

“Most rural and urban human settlements in Africa and indeed in Nigeria are dependent on groundwater because it is locally available, drought resilient and has quality requiring minimal treatment.

“It is therefore crucial to prioritise the effective management of this valuable water resource through enhanced groundwater governance,” he said.

He stated that the event was setting Nigeria on the path to achieving sustainable water security and fulfilling Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

The official noted that the project’s implementation began in the last quarter of 2023.

Dr. Idowu Lateef, Secretary-General of the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO (NatCom-UNESCO), emphasized that effective water governance recognizes the importance of aquifer systems in ensuring the sustainable supply of fresh water.

Represented by Ms. Frances Ezejiofor, an official from the organization, he pointed out that the impact was evident, with about 40 percent of water used for irrigated agriculture and one-third of the water needed for industry coming from groundwater resources.

“Despite this impressive path, groundwater remains invisible and less permanent with the worsening parts of climate change.

“We need to recognise that groundwater will be a catalyst for economic and social development in Nigeria,” Lateef added.

NAN/Oluchi