The Ministry’s mandate is to formulate and implement policies, projects and programmes that will enable sustainable access to safe and sufficient water to meet the social, cultural, environmental and economic development needs of all Nigerians, for all uses, in ways that contribute to enhancing public health, food security, eradicating poverty while maintaining the integrity of freshwater ecosystem of the nation. The Ministry’s responsibilities within the mandate are as follows:

1.  Formulate and review National Water Resources Policy and Legislation;
2.  Formulate and implement a Master Plan for the overall development of the water resources of the country in a systematic, integrated and coordinated manner;
3. Explore, develop and manage surface and underground water resources through construction of Dams, Barrages, Dykes and other Hydraulic structures for flood control, water supply, hydro-power generation, and other purposes;
4. Develop Irrigation Infrastructure to support food production for enhanced national food security;
5. Collect, store, analyze and disseminate hydro-meteorological, water quality and hydrological data and Information;
6. Support and promote Studies and Research on the nation’s underground and Surface Water Resources potentials;
7. Promote integrated approach to Water Resources Management;
8. Promote high level advocacy for Water Sanitation and Hygiene;
9. Collaboration and cooperation with all relevant National, Regional and International Agencies on all matters relating to water resources development including transboundary water management; and
10. Support, Monitor and evaluate the programmes and performances of the Ministry’s Agencies and Parastatals.