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From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to strengthen the safety and management of over 200 large dams across the country to prevent disasters, boost water security and improve hydropower generation.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, disclosed this at the 2026 National Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Committee on Large Dams (NICOLD) in Abuja.
Utsev, represented by the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Ali Ibrahim Dallah, described dams as strategic national assets critical to food production, electricity generation, flood control and economic development.
The conference, themed “Sustainable Dams for Water, Energy and Climate Resilience”, focused on strategies to strengthen Nigeria’s dam infrastructure against emerging environmental and climate challenges.
The minister identified the World Bank-supported Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project as a major intervention to improve dam safety, modernise irrigation infrastructure and unlock the country’s hydropower potential.
He stressed the need for regular dam inspections, preventive maintenance and climate-resilient engineering, as well as improved flood forecasting through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA).
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Utsev urged stakeholders to convert discussions at the conference into practical recommendations that would guarantee sustainable dam management.
Also speaking, 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 strengthening institutional capacity and improving dam safety.
He commended NICOLD for promoting professional development, technical knowledge exchange and international best practices, assuring the committee of the ministry’s continued collaboration.
Earlier, the NICOLD President, Engr. Johnson Adewumi, called for increased private-sector participation and the deployment of modern technologies to address the growing threats of climate change, flooding and drought.
Adewumi highlighted NICOLD’s contributions to major dam projects, professional training of Nigerian engineers and collaboration with international organisations, including the Canadian Dam Association.
