WaterAid Nigeria on Tuesday launched a project titled “Strengthening Water and Sanitation Delivery in Lagos — Year III” to expand access to clean water and improve sanitation.
The initiative, aimed at enhancing access to clean water, upgrading sanitation facilities, and promoting hygiene behaviors in public schools and communities, focuses on Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA). Funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the project was unveiled at an event in Ikeja.
This marks the third year of a broader programme designed to make water and sanitation services more effective, resilient, and sustainable.
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr Christiana Dasaolu, representing the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, said the intervention would help reduce the number of out-of-school children, restore dignity to learners, and improve environmental sanitation in schools. She described WaterAid’s WASH projects as “a beacon of hope” for creating conducive teaching and learning environments, and commended the organization for its continued support to the state.
Mr Godfrey Iloha, Project Manager at WaterAid Nigeria, noted that Nigeria continues to face significant gaps in water and sanitation access, with millions lacking safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. He said rapid population growth, overstretched infrastructure, and reliance on unreliable water sources have further strained Lagos’ water system.
“Fewer than 40 per cent of residents have access to safely managed water, while poor sanitation contributes to the spread of waterborne diseases. Women and girls are disproportionately affected, as the lack of gender-friendly sanitation limits their mobility, education, and participation in economic life,” Iloha explained.
He added that the new phase of WaterAid’s programme aims to address these challenges by combining infrastructure upgrades with institutional strengthening. The project will support environmental health clubs in schools and conduct hygiene behaviour-change campaigns.
The intervention is expected to improve sanitation access for 2,500 people in two schools, provide clean water for 1,500 students and staff in another school, and reach an additional 4,500 residents through hygiene promotion activities.
In their remarks, Mr Matthew Aliu-Adesanya, Vice Chairman of Ikorodu North LCDA, and Prince Adeniran Ogunbanwo, CDC Chairman, praised the continued WASH interventions in the council. They described the initiative as a model for replication across other areas to help Lagos achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 and pledged that the council and communities would maintain and sustain the new facilities.
The $300,000 project will provide one solar-powered borehole, two inclusive sanitation facilities, and two group handwashing and drinking-water stations for Maya Junior and Senior Community Grammar Schools, serving thousands of students in Ikorodu North LCDA.
