FG, World Bank Strengthen Partnership on Water Access, Food Security

FG, World Bank Strengthen Partnership on Water Access, Food Security

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the World Bank to improve access to safe water and enhance food security across Nigeria.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, stated this while receiving a World Bank delegation in Abuja. He said the partnership aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises access to potable water, food security through irrigated agriculture and job creation.

Utsev noted that closer cooperation with the World Bank would accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project and other strategic initiatives being executed by the ministry. He stressed that such interventions are critical to boosting agricultural productivity and improving livelihoods nationwide.

The minister also confirmed Nigeria’s participation in the forthcoming Africa Water Forum scheduled to hold in N’Djamena later this month. According to him, the forum will provide an opportunity for African countries and development partners to explore solutions to water and sanitation challenges.

Speaking on behalf of the World Bank delegation, Zack Zieglhifer and Chinedu Umolu, leaders of the SPIN Project team, said the forum would feature high-level discussions aimed at promoting innovative financing and sustainable strategies for improving water security across Africa. They expressed optimism that stronger partnerships would help drive long-term development in the sector.