By Tosin Kolade
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has received a delegation from the African Union Commission and the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) to strengthen regional coordination to achieve water security and universal access to sanitation.
The delegation was led by Mr Nyambe Nyambe, Director, Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, African Union Commission, and Mr Nelson Gomonda, Officer-in-Charge, AMCOW Secretariat.
Utsev in a statement on Wednesday stressed sustained political commitment to water and sanitation, describing the sector as critical to public health, economic growth, climate resilience and regional integration across Africa.
He highlighted the AU’s 2026 Theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
According to him, the theme elevates water and sanitation as key enablers of Africa’s development aspirations under Agenda 2063.
Utsev said water security is central to Africa’s transformation, warning that without it, achieving food security, industrialisation and climate resilience would remain difficult.
The minister said Nigeria would host the 2026 West Africa Subregional Meeting from April 21 to April 23 in Abuja.
He said the meeting would convene member states and stakeholders to develop the 2026–2033 implementation plan for the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy.
According to him, the plan will focus on high-impact initiatives to deliver quick wins, attract investment and strengthen regional cooperation.
Nyambe commended Nigeria for hosting the AMCOW Secretariat since 2002, describing the country as a key supporter of continental water governance.
He said AMCOW played a vital role in shaping Africa’s water policy, leading to the adoption of the Africa Water Vision 2063 in Addis Ababa.
Nyambe also praised the minister’s leadership in positioning water and sanitation within Africa’s broader development agenda.
He said the 2026–2033 plan would prioritise catalytic initiatives to accelerate progress towards a water-secure and sanitation-resilient continent.
The African Ministers’ Council on Water provides political leadership and policy direction for water and sanitation across Africa.
Working with the African Union Commission, it supports member states in strengthening governance, mobilising investment and advancing sustainable water management.
The meeting is expected to boost regional coordination as Africa works to close water and sanitation gaps and achieve universal access.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other members of the delegation included Mr Bala Tuham, Lead, Corporate Services; Ms Comfort Kanshio, Policy Officer, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene; and Engr. Jonathan Kampala, Adviser on the Blue Africa Action Initiative. (NAN)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
