The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, has warned that Nigeria's rivers are facing increasing pollution from population growth, urbanisation, untreated wastewater, and other human activities. He spoke on Monday as Nigeria joined the world to mark the 2026 World Rivers Day, themed 'No Forests, No Rivers, No Water, No Life.' At a media briefing in Abuja, the minister said rivers remain critical to human survival, environmental sustainability, and national development, supporting agriculture, water supply, fisheries, biodiversity, and livelihoods. He noted that the rivers are under growing pressure from indiscriminate dumping of solid waste, agricultural runoff, erosion, sand mining, untreated wastewater, and climate change, and said the challenges require an integrated and sustainable approach.
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