Nigeria Participates in AMCOW 14th Governing Council, Adopts Africa Water Vision 2063 in Dakar.
By Raymond Enoch
Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to water security and sustainable development as it participates in the 14th Ordinary Session of the Governing Council of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), currently underway in Dakar, Republic of Senegal. Representing the country at the high-level gathering is the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE.
In a statement signed by Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, Director of Information at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, the meeting was described as a major milestone with the formal adoption of the Africa Water Vision 2063 and its accompanying Policy Framework. The Vision, launched officially at the session, aligns with the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to ensure long-term water security, improved sanitation, and resilient ecosystems across the continent.
The AMCOW Governing Council outlined its resolutions, including the domestication and implementation of the Africa Water Vision 2063 at national and regional levels; boosting AMCOW’s financial sustainability through increased Member State contributions; development of the AMCOW Business Plan 2026–2030; the Triennial Work Programme and Budget 2026–2028; and the Strategic Programme on Groundwater for Water Security and Resilience in Africa (SPGWR) 2026–2033. It also announced plans for an International Conference on Financing the Africa Water Vision 2063 in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) in 2026.
The Council further mandated the AMCOW Secretariat, in conjunction with the African Union Commission (AUC) and development partners, to present the adopted Vision to the 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government in February 2026 for formal endorsement as Africa’s unified position ahead of the United Nations 2026 Water Conference.
Addressing delegates at the session, Prof. Utsev applauded AMCOW’s leadership and reiterated Nigeria’s support for the Africa Water Vision 2063. He emphasized that the framework will drive accelerated progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), strengthen climate resilience, enhance public health, and promote economic growth across Africa.
“The Africa Water Vision 2063 is a bold and transformative framework that reflects the aspirations of our continent for water security, safe sanitation, and sustainable development. Nigeria stands ready to work with fellow Member States to translate this vision into actionable programmes for the benefit of our people,” he said.
Nigeria’s presence at the meeting highlights the Federal Government’s continued push for integrated water resources management, climate-smart sanitation initiatives, and enhanced regional cooperation under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Prof. Utsev is accompanied by senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, alongside other African Ministers, the AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, development partners, and key stakeholders.
