Minister of Water Resources Professor Joseph Utsev has opened talks with the Hungarian authorities as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to to expand access to clean and safe water in the country.
The Minister met with the Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria Lorand Endreffy and the Economic Counsellor, Embassy of Hungary in Nigeria Judith Beres during, the discussed modalities of partnership in the water sector.
According to a statement by the Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister Terhemen Oraduen Professor Utsev and his visitors affirmed the importance of stronger collaboration particularly in knowledge sharing and effective water management.
The statement said during the meeting, Minister Utsev pledged Nigeria’s sustained partnership with the Hungarian government acknowledged the long standing relationship between the two nations.
He underscored the importance of a stronger collaboration especially in the areas of knowledge sharing and ideas for effective water management .
The Minister also assured that his Ministry and relevant agencies will work in synergy with the Hungarian embassy for effective participation in the forthcoming Nigerian-Hungarian Water Forum taking place this year
In his remarks, the Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria Lorand Endreffy explained that the visit was to seek stronger collaboration in water and dam management as well as to invite the Minister for the forthcoming Nigerian-Hungarian Water Forum 2025.
According to him, the forum which is expected to attract one hundred participants including Hungarian companies showcasing their expertise in water engineering and water treatment technologies will feature signing of the MoU on Training and Exchange of Expertise in Water Engineering, flood management and Data Processing between two nations.
He said, the two nations will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Water Management which will be perform by the Nigerian Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the Hungarian Ministry of Interior and expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing a Professor of Water Resources Engineering to manage the water sector in Nigeria.
NewsQuest reports that Nigeria has been actively working to increase access to safe water through strategic government programmes, international partnerships, and private sector engagements.
Our correspondent gathered that a key highlight of such efforts is the recent commissioning of the Greater Abuja Water Supply Network, covering Loops 1, 2, 5, and 6, which was officially inaugurated by President Tinubu in June 2025.
The project, funded primarily through a partnership with the Chinese government and valued at approximately $470 million, has tripled Abuja’s daily water supply capacity, providing clean and reliable water to about three million residents of Abuja.
