World Environment Day: NIWA sounds alarm on urbanisation, climate threats to Nigeria’s waterways
Maureen Aguta
As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2026 World Environment Day, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s inland waterways against the growing environmental pressures of rapid urbanisation and climate change.
The Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NIWA, Umar Yusuf Girei, made the pledge in a statement issued at the Authority’s headquarters in Lokoja, stressing that clean, safe and sustainable waterways remain critical to Nigeria’s economic growth and environmental resilience.
This year’s World Environment Day is themed “Urbanisation and Climate Change: Building Resilient Cities for a Sustainable Future,” highlighting the need for urgent action to address the environmental consequences of expanding cities and worsening climate impacts.
Girei noted that many Nigerian cities continue to grow around rivers and waterways that serve as vital hubs for commerce, transportation, culture and livelihoods. However, he warned that unchecked urban expansion is exerting increasing pressure on the environment, contributing to rising temperatures, flooding, erosion and other ecological challenges.
According to him, inland waterways represent a strategic natural asset for building climate-resilient cities. Properly managed rivers and channels, he explained, can serve as effective drainage corridors that reduce flood risks while providing a cleaner and lower-carbon alternative for the movement of goods and passengers.
The NIWA chief reiterated the Authority’s commitment to responsible dredging operations, riverbank protection and sustained efforts to curb pollution and indiscriminate waste disposal across the nation’s waterways.
He also called for greater public participation in environmental protection, stressing that government efforts alone would not be sufficient to address the scale of the challenge.
Girei urged Nigerians to adopt responsible waste management practices, plant trees along riverbanks, report illegal dredging and encroachment activities, and actively support initiatives aimed at preserving the environment.
He further advocated increased use of water transportation, describing it as a safer, more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to road transport.
“Protecting our waterways is not only an environmental responsibility but also an investment in the future resilience, prosperity and sustainability of our cities and communities,” he stated.
The World Environment Day celebration serves as a global platform for raising awareness and mobilising action on pressing environmental issues, with governments, organisations and citizens encouraged to take practical steps towards a more sustainable future.