Northern Pulse: Expert calls for women inclusion in water management

By Aisha Gambo

An environmental expert, Sanusi Maikudi, on Friday called for greater inclusion of women in Nigeria’s water sector to enhance sustainable water management and environmental protection.

Maikudi, a former Managing Director of the Kaduna State Water Corporation, made the call during a climate monthly hangout in Kaduna.

He said the number of women in the sector remained grossly inadequate, stressing the need for deliberate policies to promote gender inclusion.

According to him, improving women’s participation will help build the expertise required to address emerging challenges in water management.

“Stakeholders should invest more in water and environmental education to produce skilled manpower and provide an enabling environment for them to practise.

“We must also bring more women into the sector. If it remains male-dominated, we risk undermining progress. Government should encourage inclusion without gender discrimination,” he said.

Maikudi explained that water is fundamental to human survival, as it is essential for food preparation, personal hygiene and environmental sanitation.

He warned that poor management of water resources could have far-reaching consequences on human life and development.

“Water is central to industrialisation, the economy, infrastructure, energy generation and transportation. Mismanaging it will come at a very high cost,” he added.

Also speaking, the Co-founder of the Interfaith Mediation Centre, Rev. James Wuye, expressed concern over the impact of climate change on water resources and the environment.

He urged religious leaders to take the lead in educating their congregations on responsible environmental practices, including discouraging the dumping of waste in waterways.

In his remarks, the Co-Chairman of the Kaduna State Climate Change Accountability Mechanism, Ibrahima Yakubu, said the monthly forum was designed to strengthen efforts to mitigate climate change and environmental degradation.

Yakubu noted that the forum was very important as the rainy season approaches, a period often marked by recurring floods.

According to him, the platform equips journalists with skills to report on early warning signs, flood prevention and post-disaster challenges, including waterborne diseases and other health risks.

He added that issues such as water pollution, environmental degradation and flood-related hazards require informed and sustained media coverage.

Yakubu emphasised that beyond government efforts, civil society organisations also play a key role in educating the public on environmental responsibility.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative is led by the Interfaith Mediation Centre in collaboration with African Climate Reporters and supported by the Kaduna State Government.