By Abdullahi Lukman
The Managing Director of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Deji Ashiru, has urged the National Assembly to amend existing water laws to mandate at least 35 per cent female representation in governance structures across the sector.
Ashiru made the call while delivering a keynote address at the 2026 World Water Day celebration in Abeokuta, where he emphasised the need for legal backing to ensure women are adequately represented on boards, technical committees and advisory bodies.
He also called on state Houses of Assembly to adopt similar provisions in their laws, noting that voluntary commitments have proven insufficient to guarantee inclusive participation.
Ashiru said women and girls bear a disproportionate burden in water collection, accounting for about 72 per cent globally, with even higher figures in rural communities across Nigeria.
He added that in sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 40 billion hours are spent annually by women and girls fetching water, limiting opportunities for education, healthcare and economic activities.
According to him, the exclusion of women from decision-making processes often leads to ineffective policies and poorly designed infrastructure that fail to address the needs of primary users.
He cited studies showing that water projects involving women in planning and management are more sustainable, equitable and efficiently maintained, stressing that gender inclusion is both a social justice issue and a technical necessity.
Ashiru identified key barriers to inclusive governance, including institutional culture, lack of gender-disaggregated data, climate change and inadequate financing.
He maintained that enforceable legal frameworks with clear accountability mechanisms are essential to achieving meaningful inclusion in the sector.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Dapo Okubadejo, supported the call, noting that gender inclusion enhances transparency, efficiency and accountability in water management.
He said the state has already prioritised inclusive governance, with several water-related institutions led by women, including the Ogun State Water Corporation.
The event also featured the inauguration of “Gateway Water,” a state-backed initiative aimed at improving access to safe and potable water, alongside ongoing investments in water infrastructure, technology and distribution systems.
