The Federal Government has raised concerns over the vulnerability of Nigeria’s water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities to the impacts of climate change. At a validation workshop held in Abuja on Thursday, officials emphasized the need to redesign these critical infrastructures to ensure they are climate resilient.
The workshop, organized by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in collaboration with UNICEF, focused on reviewing existing technical designs, specifications, and drawings of WASH facilities to incorporate climate adaptation strategies. The National Water Resources Institute has been tasked with revising these designs to reflect global best practices.
Speaking at the event, Richard Pheelangwa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, underscored the urgency of adapting WASH infrastructure to withstand climate change, which he described as the “most profound challenge facing humanity.” He stressed that the updated designs must meet global standards, while also addressing gender inclusivity and the needs of people with disabilities.
“With the recent climate change effects, these technical designs will facilitate the construction of durable and sustainable WASH facilities in our communities and institutions,” Pheelangwa said. He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to achieving universal access to sustainable WASH services by 2030, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Pheelangwa also highlighted the current vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s WASH infrastructure, noting that the northern regions of the country are experiencing worsening droughts and declining groundwater levels, while the central and southern regions face irregular rainfall and frequent flash floods.
“Water availability per capita is gradually decreasing, and WASH facilities are at risk of damage due to floods. Strategic actions are needed to make the sector resilient to climate change with communities taking the lead,” he explained.
He further pointed out that climate change-related floods could lead to the overflow of pits, latrines, and sewers, while droughts would reduce water availability and degrade water quality, posing additional risks to community health and resilience.
UNICEF WASH Manager, Chiranjibi Tiwari, added that sanitation facilities are increasingly becoming unusable due to these environmental changes. He called for urgent measures to ensure that WASH infrastructure can continue to serve communities in a sustainable manner.
The Director of Water Supply and Support Services, Mukaila Babarinde, also highlighted the devastating impact of flooding on water infrastructure, noting that many facilities are located in flood plains, making them particularly vulnerable to destruction.
The workshop concluded with a call for stronger efforts to build climate-resilient WASH facilities to protect both infrastructure and public health in the face of growing environmental challenges.