The Nigeria Association of Hydrological Sciences (NAHS) has called for stronger collaboration among governments, academic institutions, professional bodies, the private sector and communities towards addressing Nigeria's interconnected challenges of water security, climate change and environmental sustainability.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the association's 16th National Conference and Annual General Meeting, held at the NAS Conference Hall, Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Imo State, from November 3 to 6, 2026.
The four-day national conference, with the theme, "Nexus of Water, Climate and Environmental Sustainability," brought together 175 participants, including researchers, academics, professionals and other stakeholders in hydrological sciences to deliberate on the relationship between water resources, climate change and environmental protection.
In its communiqué, the association observed that Nigeria's water and environmental challenges are interconnected and require integrated solutions supported by scientific evidence, appropriate technology, effective institutions, community participation and responsible environmental management.
Among the major issues identified were climate variability and the need for effective water resources planning across all sectors of the Nigerian economy. The conference also identified flooding and drought as significant threats to human lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, food security and environmental sustainability.
On environmental protection, participants identified unsustainable land-use practices, rapid urban expansion, deforestation, sand mining, agricultural pressure and encroachment on riparian corridors as factors altering watershed processes and threatening the long-term sustainability of water resources.
The communiqué also highlighted the increasing relevance of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) as complementary approaches to climate adaptation, flood-risk reduction, ecosystem restoration and sustainable water resources management.
Other issues highlighted included the importance of water harvesting, small-scale irrigation, drought-tolerant crops, improved drainage, soil-moisture conservation, crop diversification, organic manure and appropriate management of saline and sodic soils. The conference also expressed concern over the dearth of environmental awareness among residents of urban and rural communities.
It called on relevant institutions to establish integrated water and climate information systems, while federal, state and local governments were urged to improve flood and drought preparedness through stronger early-warning systems, flood-risk mapping, dam-safety monitoring and effective drought-management strategies.
On environmental restoration, stakeholders were encouraged to promote appropriately designed and monitored Nature-based interventions, complemented by engineering measures where necessary.
It urged relevant institutions to document and assess indigenous knowledge relating to rainfall prediction, water storage, irrigation and environmental management, with a view to integrating such knowledge with modern scientific methods to improve the relevance and accessibility of climate and hydrological services.
In addition, the association called for stronger institutional coordination and sustainable climate financing to support the implementation, operation, maintenance and monitoring of water and environmental programmes.
Regulatory agencies were equally urged to improve compliance monitoring and enforcement relating to mining, industrial discharges, pesticide use, waste disposal and other activities capable of threatening water quality, aquatic biodiversity and environmental sustainability.
The 16th National Conference was hosted by the Imo State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Hydrological Sciences, with the Local Organising Committee chaired by Prof. G.T. Amangabara, while Prof. E.C. Onyenechere served as Co-Chairperson and Dr Faisal Emetumah as Secretary.
It maintained that achieving sustainable water security requires shared responsibility and coordinated action among government, academia, professional institutions, the private sector, civil society organisations and communities.
The communiqué was signed by Prof. Luke O. Uzoigwe, FNSE, FNAHS, National President of NAHS, and Prof. Joel Efiong, National Secretary.
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