The National Water Resources Institute and AUDA-NEPAD Centre of Excellence, under its ACEWATER-III Human Capacity Development (HCD) activities, conducted a 5-day training on the topic: Climate Change Resilience: Access to Water Supply and Sanitation from 24th to 28th February, 2025. The training aimed to enhance participants’ capacity to address climate change impacts on water resources and sanitation services. Twenty-five participants from different stakeholders’ institutions across Nigeria took part in the training, and the resource persons were drawn from various fields of specialisation.

The specific objectives of the training programme were:

1. Access to Water Supply and Sanitation
2. To create awareness on Climate Change (its causes, effects, impacts mitigation, and adaptation measures to the impacts)
3. To impart the basic knowledge on improving water supply and sanitation infrastructure that are resilient to or can withstand climate change impacts and effects.

The training involved 10 modules, which included classroom lectures, brainstorming activities, group presentations, and a field trip to locations with climate change impacts. All the participants were presented with a certificate of participation at the end of the training by the Centre Manager and Ag. Director General of the National Water Resources Institute, Kaduna Nigeria, Dr. Martin O. Eduvie.

Following the training participants provided some feedback:

1. I gained a holistic understanding of the impacts of climate change on water supply and sanitation systems.
2. I learned practical strategies to build resilience, adapt to climate change, and reduce risks.
3. I have developed basic skills and improved knowledge to design and implement climate-resilient water and sanitation projects.
4. I acquired knowledge of financing mechanisms and tools to support climate adaptation efforts.
5. I have been empowered to create, develop and execute action plans on climate resilience for my organization
6. I can now promote community-based approaches to flood risk management and mitigation.
7. As an Engineer I am encouraged to use innovative technologies and approaches in river banks and flood plain management.
8. I have learnt how to strengthen collaboration and networking among stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector.

As a follow-up, the following recommendations can be implemented:

1. There is the need to develop and disseminate climate-resilient water management guidelines and tools.
2. There is also the need to provide technical assistance and support to stakeholders in implementing climate-resilient water management practices.
3. This course should be repeated to accommodate other participants from other States and ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).