Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday commissioned the newly rehabilitated Akilo Water Facility in Ogba, a key project expected to supply one million gallons of potable water daily to residents within the axis.
Speaking during the inauguration, Sanwo-Olu said the revitalised waterworks demonstrates his administration’s commitment to widening access to clean water and strengthening public health across the state.
He described the project as a “beacon of hope”, noting that it was delivered through a collaboration between WaterAid Nigeria and the Lagos State Water Corporation under the Urban Water and Sanitation Access Project.
The governor appealed to residents in Ogba, Keke, Agege, Akilo and neighbouring communities to take ownership of the facility, stressing the importance of safeguarding public infrastructure.
“We are determined to ensure that every neighbourhood in Lagos has access to a clean and reliable water supply. This is why we continue to strengthen partnerships that help us deliver impactful and sustainable water solutions to our people. We expect residents to take ownership of these assets and protect them, because they are for the collective good of our communities,” he said.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, praised WaterAid Nigeria for its support, noting that the reconstructed facility will deliver safe water to over 100 households in the Akilo area through a combination of domestic connections and digitally operated kiosks.
“This project aligns with our commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those centred on water, sanitation and public health,” Wahab added.
Also speaking, WaterAid Nigeria Country Director, Evelyn Mere, highlighted the organisation’s intention to expand access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services across Lagos. She revealed that the Akilo model would be replicated in other underserved communities and announced a new faecal sludge management framework designed to stimulate economic activity within the sanitation value chain.
The Managing Director of the Lagos State Water Corporation, Mukhtaar Tijani, noted that the Akilo waterworks—originally constructed in 2012 but dormant for years—had now been fully restored and is ready to resume water supply to communities in Akilo, Agege and surrounding localities.
The project is expected to contribute significantly to the state’s broader strategy of enhancing water supply infrastructure, reducing reliance on boreholes, and promoting healthier living conditions for residents.
