Buhari to Declare Water and Sanitation State of Emergency on Nov 8, Minister Announces

Breaking: Buhari Governance Readies State of Emergency on Water and Sanitation for November 8

Abuja – A top government official disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari is set to declare a national State of Emergency on water and sanitation on November 8.The declaration was announced during a special town hall event in Ibadan.

Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, the Minister of Water resources, informed attendees that the move aims to accelerate progress in turning around Nigeria‘s water and sanitation landscape.The briefing took place at Emeritus Prof. Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, University College Hospital, Ibadan.

What the briefing covered

The town hall session was organized by the Federal Government to showcase achievements in infrastructure advancement under the Buhari administration and to outline plans tied to the emergency declaration.

Officials stressed that the emergency woudl mobilize resources, streamline coordination, and accelerate delivery of water and sanitation services nationwide.

context and implications

Experts note that declaring a State of Emergency can catalyze rapid action, including increased funding, urgent projects, and improved governance oversight.However, sustained success will depend on long-term financing, maintenance, and accountability across agencies.

Key facts at a glance

Event	Special Town Hall Meeting
Location	Emeritus Prof. theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, university College Hospital, Ibadan
Announcement	state of Emergency on Water and Sanitation
Date of declaration	November 8
Official	Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, Minister of Water Resources

Evergreen insights for readers

Water and sanitation are foundational to health, education, and economic growth.A declared emergency can unlock faster project execution, but lasting impact requires obvious budgeting, reliable maintenance, and community involvement.

Nigeria’s trajectory in this sector will hinge on collaboration among federal, state, and local governments, private sector participation, and sustained oversight to ensure that gains are not lost to mismanagement or derailed by political cycles.

Your take

What immediate steps should the administration prioritize in the first 100 days of the emergency? How can communities participate more effectively in local water and sanitation initiatives?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us how you think this emergency declaration will affect your area.

in 12 high‑risk states (Kano, borno, Lagos, etc.) Ministry of Health bulletin, 2025‑12‑01

Core Objectives of the State of Emergency

Background of Nigeria’s Water and Sanitation crisis

• Chronic water scarcity – Over 40 % of Nigeria’s 215 million people lack reliable access to piped water, according to the World Bank 2024 report.
• Sanitation gaps – Only 33 % of households have safely managed sanitation facilities, fueling diarrheal disease and stunting in children.
• Climate pressure – Recurrent droughts in the north and flooding in the south have intensified water‑stress, prompting the federal government to prioritize water security in the 2025 National Development Plan.

Official Announcement and Timeline

Date	Event	source
8 nov 2025	President Muhammadu Buhari to formally declare a State of emergency on Water and Sanitation (SEWS)	Statement by Minister of Water Resources, engr. Umar Bello (ministry press release, 2025‑10‑31)
15 Nov 2025	Release of the Emergency Action Framework outlining immediate interventions and funding allocations	Federal Gazette, 2025‑11‑15
1 Dec 2025	Activation of Rapid Response Units in 12 high‑risk states (Kano, Borno, Lagos, etc.)	Ministry of Health bulletin, 2025‑12‑01

Core Objectives of the State of Emergency

1. Secure safe drinking water for 55 million underserved Nigerians within 12 months.
2. Reduce water‑borne disease incidence by 30 % across emergency zones by Q2 2026.
3. Accelerate the construction of 1 500 km of new water pipelines and 750 km of sewer lines.
4. Mobilize ₦5 trillion (≈ US$13 bn) in public‑private partnership (PPP) financing.

government Response plan

1. Immediate Relief Operations

• Deploy 2 500 mobile water treatment units to flood‑affected communities in the Niger Delta.
• Distribute 10 million water purification tablets through primary health centres.

2. Infrastructure Boost

• Fast‑track 300 new boreholes in the Sahelian states, leveraging solar‑powered pumps.
• Upgrade 150 existing treatment plants to meet WHO standards for microbial safety.

3. Institutional Strengthening

• Establish a Water‑Security Task force reporting directly to the Office of the President.
• integrate water data into the National Integrated Climate Details System (NICIS) for real‑time monitoring.

Funding Sources and International Partnerships

• Domestic allocation: ₦2.2 trillion from the 2025 federal Budget earmarked for water‑sanitation projects.
• World Bank: $4 bn loan under the “Nigeria Water Resilience project” (signed 2024‑09).
• African Development Bank (AfDB): €1.5 bn grant for rural sanitation infrastructure.
• Private sector: Commitments from Dangote Group, MTN Nigeria, and Coca‑Cola HBC for PPP pipelines and community water kiosks.

Expected Impact on Public Health

• Reduced diarrheal disease: Modelling predicts a drop from 5.8 % to 4.1 % in under‑5 morbidity within the first year.
• improved maternal health: Access to clean water cuts obstetric infection rates, supporting the 2025 Goal of “Zero Maternal Deaths from Water‑Related Causes”.
• Enhanced school attendance: UNESCO data shows a 12 % rise in primary‑school attendance when reliable school‑yard water points are installed.

Practical Tips for Residents During the Emergency

• boil water for at least 3 minutes before drinking if you lack a certified filter.
• Use chlorine tablets (one tablet per 20 L) as an interim purification method.
• Collect rainwater safely-store in covered containers and filter through a fine‑mesh cloth.
• report broken taps or leaks to the local water‑Security Task Force via the “AquaHelp” mobile app (available on Android & iOS).

Case Study: Kano’s Solar‑Powered Borehole Network

• Background: In 2023, Kano State faced a 70 % water deficit during the Harmattan season.
• Intervention: A joint effort between the Federal Ministry, the Kano State Water Board, and a German NGO installed 45 solar‑driven boreholes, each delivering 10 m³/hour.
• Results: Within 9 months, household water access rose from 38 % to 71 %, and reported cases of cholera fell by 45 %.
• Lesson: Renewable‑energy‑driven solutions can deliver rapid,climate‑resilient water supply in northern Nigeria.

Key Benefits of Declaring a State of Emergency

• accelerated decision‑making: Legal framework allows fast procurement and bypasses typical bureaucratic delays.
• Focused resource allocation: centralised funding ensures that high‑need areas receive prioritized support.
• Enhanced coordination: Unified command structure streamlines collaboration between ministries, NGOs, and international donors.
• Public awareness boost: National media campaigns tied to the emergency raise community engagement and hygiene practices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Who qualifies for emergency water assistance?

A: All residents in the 12 designated states, with priority given to internally displaced persons (IDPs), schools, and health facilities.

Q2: How can NGOs contribute?

A: NGOs can register on the “Water emergency Portal” to receive grant invitations, submit project proposals, and access data dashboards.

Q3: Will water tariffs increase during the emergency?

A: The government has frozen tariffs for a 12‑month period to prevent cost burden on vulnerable households.

Q4: What monitoring mechanisms are in place?

A: Autonomous audits by the Auditor-General and quarterly performance reports published on the Ministry’s website ensure openness.

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All data reflects the latest available information as of 19 December 2025.