WaterAid Nigeria, in partnership with the Lagos State Government, has launched a five-year $2.5 million water infrastructure project, aimed at expanding access to clean and safe water in Lagos.
The five-year “TeamWater Nigeria” initiative will focus on rehabilitating the Ojokoro waterworks and expanding pipeline networks within the Lagos Water Corporation’s Northern Business Region, with the goal of improving water supply to underserved communities.
Speaking at the unveiling, Titilola Oridami-Bright, Head of Strategy and Transformation at Lagos Water Corporation, said the rehabilitation of the Ojokoro facility is expected to restore potable water access to about 72,000 customers. She added that upgrades to the Iju/Adiyan pipeline network would extend services to an additional 28,000 residents.
She noted that the project is part of broader efforts to close critical service gaps in rapidly urbanising areas, where demand continues to outpace supply. According to her, despite a population exceeding 22 million, only about 10 per cent of residents in Lagos currently have access to municipal water services.
Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, Evelyn Mere, described the project as a government-led intervention, with the Lagos Water Corporation providing primary leadership. She said the initiative builds on previous urban water supply interventions, including the rehabilitation of the Akilo waterworks, and reflects growing collaboration across WaterAid’s global network.
Mere added that funding for the project was mobilised through the global TeamWater campaign, with support from WaterAid partners and contributions from digital creators and social media influencers.
She emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in project implementation, noting that adherence to best practices would be critical to achieving long-term sustainability outcomes.
Also speaking, Amaka Godfrey of WaterAid International stressed that sustainability would depend not only on infrastructure delivery but also on public participation. She urged residents to connect to the rehabilitated network and pay for services to ensure the financial viability of operations.
“If residents expect free services, it will be difficult to sustain the infrastructure over time,” she said, calling for responsible usage and community ownership.
Godfrey also highlighted the role of the media in promoting accurate information and raising awareness about the benefits of safe water access, particularly in an era of widespread misinformation.
Chairman of Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Oluyemisi Rosiji, assured stakeholders of community-level support, stating that local leaders and development associations would mobilise residents to embrace the initiative.
Managing Director of the Lagos Water Corporation, Mukhtar Tijani, described water access as fundamental to public health, economic productivity and human dignity. He said the project would improve system efficiency, enhance water quality and reduce distribution losses across the network.
Tijani reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to maintaining and expanding water infrastructure, adding that sustained partnerships would be essential to bridging Lagos’ significant water access deficit.
