By Abdullahi Lukman
WaterAid Nigeria has formally concluded its three-year Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Improvement Project in Lagos State, funded by the PepsiCo Foundation, calling on communities, schools, and government authorities to maintain the interventions.
The project, implemented across three Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), provided sustainable access to clean water, improved sanitation, and hygiene education to thousands of residents and students in underserved communities.
A closeout meeting brought together representatives from the Lagos State Government, education districts, CDCs, school authorities, and community leaders.
Dr. Adebayo Alao, Lagos State Lead of WaterAid, emphasized that all new facilities were built to high-quality standards to ensure durability, noting that maintenance remains the responsibility of beneficiaries.
He also encouraged schools to appoint “hygiene champions” to foster proper sanitation practices among students.
WaterAid Nigeria’s WASH Manager, Mr. Godfrey Iloha, highlighted key achievements, including reaching over 43,000 people through water and sanitation infrastructure and more than 100,000 through hygiene campaigns.
The project trained 35 female local mechanics to operate solar-powered water systems and supported the state government in developing a Monitoring and Evaluation framework for WASH interventions.
Community leaders praised the project’s impact. Prince Adeniran Ogunbanwo, CDC Chairman of Ikorodu North LCDA, said the facilities had transformed schools and improved community access to water and sanitation.
Comrade Segun Fayemi of Ojodu LCDA noted improved collaboration between schools and communities, while Dr. Kudirat Adeyemi of Education District VI highlighted better learning environments and student attendance in beneficiary schools.
WaterAid also indicated ongoing discussions with new partners, including DP World, to expand water supply initiatives to reach up to one million people in the future.
Stakeholders pledged to sustain the project’s legacy, ensuring continued access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene across Lagos State.