Abuja: The Federal Government on Tuesday emphasized the progress Nigeria has made in providing safe water and sanitation, while also warning of the need for stronger commitment to achieve Sustainable Development Goal Six (SDG 6) by 2030. This was highlighted by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, in Abuja during the Annual Review Meeting of the third phase of the Accelerating Sanitation and Water for All (ASWA III) project.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Utsev, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Richard Pheelangwa, noted that ASWA has led to measurable improvements in the sector, despite ongoing regional challenges. He mentioned that ASWA II, which was launched in 2019, was implemented in six Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Adamawa, Yobe, and Borno states. The initiative provided safe drinking water to 900,000 people and sanitation services to 775,880 individuals, in addition to sensitizing over 450,000 people on handwashing practices.
Furthermore, 35 schools and 40 healthcare facilities were equipped with WASH facilities, and Nigeria’s first sector-wide sustainability checks were conducted under the program. ASWA III aims to build on these achievements by delivering climate-resilient WASH services to at least 360,000 people in Adamawa and Kaduna States, focusing on system strengthening, clean energy use, market-based delivery, and partnerships, while remaining adaptable to security risks.
Citing the 2021 WASHNORM survey, Utsev revealed that 67 per cent of Nigerians now have access to basic water supply, and 151 LGAs across 21 states have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF). He acknowledged the improvements in hygiene and handwashing practices but stressed the urgency to meet the SDG 6 targets within the next five years. Utsev urged Adamawa and Kaduna states to take ASWA III implementation seriously and exceed the achievements of the previous phase.
He also commended the Government of the Netherlands, UNICEF, and other partners for their continued collaboration and support to the WASH sector in Nigeria, assuring them of the government’s commitment to ensuring every investment yields value for the Nigerian people. The Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Bengt Van Loosdrecht, praised Nigeria’s progress under ASWA II and reaffirmed his country’s support for the WASH agenda.
UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Waafa Saeed, noted the positive shift in the country’s WASH story, driven by stronger government commitment and community participation. UNICEF Nigeria’s Chief of WASH, Dr Jane Bevan, and Mr Peem Vandermalen from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs both emphasized the importance of access to clean water and sanitation as a basic human right. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that eight African countries, including Nigeria, are participating in ASWA III, an initiative supported by the Netherlands and UNICEF to expand WASH services in underserved communities.