Nigeria, Hungary Sign MoU On Water Mgt, Climate Resilience

Nigeria and Hungary have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen academic and technical cooperation in water management, innovation, and climate resilience.

At the signing in Abuja, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, described the MoU as a milestone that will enhance technical capacity, research collaboration, and innovation in water resources development.

He said the partnership would enable advanced training for Nigerian engineers, foster joint research on water security and climate adaptation, and enhance expertise exchange in flood control and basin management.

Utsev noted that the agreement builds on an earlier MoU signed in 2016, adding that the new phase would focus on practical, result-oriented projects.

He said Nigeria faces complex water challenges driven by population growth, urbanisation, and climate change, including flooding and limited access to safe water in rural areas.

According to him, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, water security and sanitation have been prioritised as part of national development and poverty reduction efforts.

He said Hungary’s vast experience in water engineering, wastewater treatment, and flood management would support Nigeria’s ongoing reforms and infrastructure projects, including the River Basin Revitalisation Programme.

Utsev reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to work with Hungarian companies to develop sustainable projects that will improve water supply, agriculture, and environmental protection.

On his part, the Hungary Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Lóránd Endreffy, said the forum marked a milestone in both nations’ cooperation and expressed Hungary’s commitment to sharing its technology and expertise with Nigeria.

Endreffy said Hungary’s engineering tradition and advanced water infrastructure make it a dependable partner as Nigeria seeks innovative and sustainable solutions to its water challenges.

He stressed that the agreement represents the beginning of a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership aimed at achieving sustainable water management and a climate-resilient future.

The agreement, sealed between the Budapest University of Technology and Economics and Nigeria’s National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), Kaduna, was a major highlight of the Nigeria–Hungary Water Forum.

The forum brought together senior government officials, engineers, and researchers to promote collaboration in water management, technology development, and sustainable solutions to water-related challenges.

Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji