FG announces initiatives to combat climate change

Plans have been made public by the federal government to lessen the effects of climate change on water supplies and related infrastructure.

This was revealed on Friday during the opening of the Nigerian Bilateral/Multilateral Infrastructure and Climate Change Summit 2025 in Abuja by Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation.

After pointing out that his ministry is in charge of adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change, Utsev underlined the ministry's understanding of these consequences.

Ngozi Abonwo, the Director of Hydrology, was in attendance to represent the minister.

According to him, the Ministry has done and will keep taking intentional measures to lessen the effects of climate change on water resources and related infrastructure.

"Climate change is arguably the most urgent global topic that has dominated public conversation at several national and international seminars, workshops, symposia, and conferences. The explanation is obvious, of course.

We all run the risk of being eaten by the effects of climate change, which are all around us. Previously considered a far-off occurrence, climate change has become more apparent than expected and is now an existential threat to all countries, including Nigeria.

He stated that the ministry has shown initiative in getting ready for climate change action and infrastructure development, realising how urgent it is to solve these issues.

According to the ministry, the Datsin Hausa Dam Project, which is situated in Adamawa State upstream of Yola near the border with the Republic of Cameroon, upon completion, will receive and contain irregular releases of water from the Cameroon Lagdo dam, provide irrigation for approximately 150,000 hectares of land, and generate electricity of about 150MW.
Moses Owharo, Chairman of the Planning and Organising Committee for the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme 2024, had earlier in his speech pledged that the Nigerian Multilateral, Infrastructure and Climate Summit will determine the future course of Africa's development, beginning with Nigeria.

He also gave an explanation of why Nigeria was chosen to host AICIS 2025, citing the nation's significance in Africa and its standing as a political and economic heavyweight in West Africa.