Follow Us on Google
From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The Federal Government and the Government of Hungary have deepened their partnership in the areas of water engineering, flood control, and climate resilience.
This followed the successful hosting of the Nigerian–Hungarian Water Forum in Abuja by the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in collaboration with the Embassy of Hungary.
The event brought together top government officials, diplomats, academics, and experts from both countries to chart a new course for sustainable water management in Nigeria.
Present at the high-level meeting were the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, and the Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Lóránd Endreffy. The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation was represented by Engr. Dr. Nicholas Dumebi Madu, alongside Permanent Secretary, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, and representatives of key agencies, development partners, and the private sector.
In his welcome address, Prof. Utsev described the collaboration as “a critical milestone in the longstanding and mutually beneficial cooperation between Nigeria and Hungary in the field of water resources management, innovation, engineering excellence, and climate resilience.”
The Minister stressed that the partnership was timely, coming at a period when Nigeria is seeking innovative and technology-driven solutions to its water challenges. He noted that Hungary’s global reputation in water engineering and wastewater treatment makes it a natural ally for Nigeria in achieving its goals.
“Our engagement today is not just timely—it is visionary,” Utsev declared. “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.”
Other News
He added that the newly signed academic partnership between Nigeria and Hungary would open doors for Nigerian engineers and researchers to receive advanced training and participate in joint research programmes — in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises safe water, sanitation, and national water security for all Nigerians.
The Minister also urged participants to move beyond pledges and focus on action.
“Let this Forum conclude not only with the signing of agreements but with clear implementation frameworks, timelines, pilot projects, and investment commitments that will directly touch the lives of our citizens,” he said.
On his part, Ambassador Endreffy described the Forum as a “historic milestone” in advancing bilateral ties, praising Nigeria’s determination to tackle water and climate-related challenges through innovation.
The Hungarian envoy said his country was ready to share its technical expertise and modern solutions to help Nigeria achieve sustainable water management, adding that the collaboration would yield long-term benefits for both nations.
The Forum also featured presentations and technical papers from experts in both countries, focusing on water security, flood management, and climate resilience. Speakers shared case studies and innovative approaches to water infrastructure development.
Prominent resource persons included Dr. Abduljalal Danbaba, Director General, National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), Kaduna; Dr. Márk Honti, Researcher, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and Professor, Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BUTE); Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), represented by Air Commodore A.Y. Oyong; and Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, Director General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
