Nigeria and Hungary have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen academic and technical collaboration in water management, innovation, and climate resilience.
The agreement—between the Budapest University of Technology and Economics and Nigeria’s National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), Kaduna—was one of the key outcomes of the Nigeria–Hungary Water Forum held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The forum brought together government officials, engineers, and researchers to deepen cooperation in water management, technological development, and sustainable solutions aimed at tackling Nigeria’s water-related challenges.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, described the MoU as a major milestone toward enhancing technical capacity, research collaboration, and innovation in the water sector.
According to him, the partnership will facilitate advanced training for Nigerian engineers, promote joint research on water security and climate adaptation, and foster expertise exchange in flood control and basin management.
Utsev noted that the renewed agreement builds upon an earlier 2016 MoU, which laid the groundwork for knowledge sharing and cooperation between both countries in water resource management.
He emphasized that Nigeria continues to face increasing water challenges driven by rapid population growth, urbanisation, and climate change—factors that have exacerbated flooding and limited access to safe water, particularly in rural communities.
Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Utsev said the government has prioritised water security and sanitation as key components of national development and poverty reduction efforts.
He added that collaboration with Hungary complements ongoing initiatives such as the River Basin Revitalisation Programme and flood control projects along the River Niger and other major basins.
Highlighting Hungary’s expertise in water engineering, wastewater treatment, and flood management, the minister noted that the partnership would help modernise Nigeria’s water infrastructure and promote sustainable practices.
Utsev reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to work with Hungarian institutions and companies to implement innovative projects that strengthen water supply systems, agriculture, and environmental protection.
In his remarks, the Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Lóránd Endreffy, described the forum as a milestone in bilateral relations and reiterated Hungary’s commitment to sharing its technological and engineering expertise.
He said Hungary’s advanced water infrastructure and longstanding tradition in water engineering made it a reliable partner in Nigeria’s ongoing water sector transformation.
Endreffy acknowledged Nigeria’s growing water challenges, worsened by urbanisation and climate change, but commended the government’s resolve to pursue innovative and sustainable solutions.
He added that Hungary’s experience in flood management and water treatment technologies would further support Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its water systems and build resilience.
The Nigeria–Hungary Water Forum featured technical sessions, case studies, and presentations from national agencies and universities on topics including flood control, rural water supply, and climate adaptation strategies.