
List Of All Ministers Of Water Resources In Nigeria (1999-Present)
The Federal Ministry of Water Resources in Nigeria was created in 1999 when the country returned to democratic rule.
Its main duty is to manage and develop Nigeria’s water resources, making sure all Nigerians sustainably have access to water.
The ministry deals with important issues like water supply, sanitation, and irrigation. It also creates and carries out policies to improve water management across Nigeria.
Over the years, the ministry has seen many changes. There were times when it was combined with the Ministry of Agriculture. However, in April 2010, under President Goodluck Jonathan, it became a separate ministry again.
The ministry’s work is guided by the Federal Constitution, which gives the federal government the power to manage water resources that cross-regional and state boundaries.
At the same time, states manage the water resources within their areas. This helps ensure that water is used wisely and fairly throughout the country.
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Ministers Of Water Resources In Nigeria (1999-Present)
Name | Term | Political Party |
---|---|---|
Mohammed Bello Kaliel | 1999 – 13 June 2001 | Unknown |
Muktar Shagari | 13 June 2001 – 10 January 2007 | PDP |
Ahmed Bello | January 2007 – May 2007 | PDP |
Sarah Reng Ochekpe | 12 July 2011 – 29 May 2015 | PDP |
Suleiman Hussein Adamu | 11 November 2015 – May 2023 | APC |
Hon. Joseph Terlumun Utsev | August 2023-Present | APC |
First Minister Of Water Resources In Nigeria
The first Minister of Water Resources in Nigeria was Mohammed Bello Kaliel, a former Governor of Bauchi State who served from 1999 until June 13, 2001.
His appointment was the beginning of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources. This ministry was created to tackle the important issue of water management and supply in Nigeria, especially following the country’s move to democratic governance.
Mohammed Bello Kaliel was born in Nigeria, but details about his early life and exact birthdate are not well known. Kaliel’s political career started in the late 1990s when Nigeria was moved back to democracy.
In 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him as the first Minister of Water Resources. During his time in office, Kaliel worked to set up a solid system for managing water resources in Nigeria.
Before this, the country faced many problems with water supply and infrastructure. Kaliel focused on several important tasks during his tenure.
He created policies to improve how water was supplied and managed throughout the country, which included addressing issues like making water more accessible, improving sanitation, and ensuring that water resources were used sustainably.
He also pushed for the development of new water infrastructure, which was necessary for both cities and rural areas. Despite his efforts, Kaliel’s time as minister had challenges, such as problems with funding and the need for national policies to guide water management.
In whichever way, he left his position in June 2001, and Muktar Shagari took over as the new Minister of Water Resources.
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The Current Minister Of Water Resources In Nigeria
Hon. Joseph Terlumun Utsev is the current Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation in Nigeria, and he has been In the office since 2023.
Born on October 6, 1959, in Mbagen, which is part of the Buruku Local Government Area in Benue State, Utsev has a strong background in both academics and politics.
Growing up, Utsev focused heavily on education. He earned a degree in Civil Engineering and then went on to achieve a doctorate in Water Resources Engineering.
Utsev then worked as a professor at different universities, Including teaching and researching water resources and civil engineering.
He used his knowledge to help policies about water management in Nigeria. Besides his academic work, Utsev was also involved in charitable activities aimed at improving conditions in communities suffering from water scarcity and flooding.
He understands that having access to clean water is essential for public health and economic development. For all that, Utsev focuses on making Nigeria’s water systems better and dealing with the challenges posed by floods.
He has made it a priority to improve water supply systems, especially in areas that are often affected by floods. His approach includes improving drainage systems and relocating people from areas at high risk of flooding.
Utsev has worked closely with other agencies to keep track of water levels and manage flood risks effectively. For example, he has recently talked about the increased water flow in the River Benue and the need for proper measures to prepare for flooding during the rainy season.
Utsev has also introduced several policies to improve water accessibility and quality in Nigeria. He supports the removal of illegal structures in areas prone to flooding and works on improving infrastructure to better control water flow.