The Lagos State Government has unveiled a $2.5 million initiative to rehabilitate the Ojokoro waterworks and expand pipeline infrastructure across the state’s Northern Business Region, in a move aimed at improving access to clean water.
The project, tagged TeamWater Nigeria, is being implemented in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria as part of a five-year plan to strengthen water supply systems and distribution across Lagos.
Speaking at the unveiling, Titilola Oridami-Bright, Head of Strategy and Transformation at the Lagos Water Corporation, said the rehabilitation of the Ojokoro waterworks is expected to restore reliable water supply to about 72,000 residents. In addition, upgrades to the Iju/Adiyan pipeline network will extend access to roughly 28,000 more people.
She noted that the intervention aligns with the state’s broader objective of addressing water shortages in rapidly growing urban areas, particularly in northern Lagos.
Also speaking, Evelyn Mere, Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, described the project as a milestone in sustainable urban water development. She explained that funding was mobilised through global crowdfunding campaigns supported by WaterAid’s international network, including its UK and US arms.
Officials emphasised the need for residents to connect to the upgraded system and pay for services to ensure long-term sustainability, while also calling for public awareness to counter misinformation.
Managing Director of the Lagos Water Corporation, Mukhtar Tijani, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to improving water infrastructure, noting that the project would enhance efficiency, water quality, and reduce system losses.
Currently, Lagos’ public water system serves about 1.5 million residents, roughly 44 per cent of the population, with coverage varying significantly across communities.
The Ojokoro rehabilitation forms part of a broader push to scale up water infrastructure across the state. Ongoing projects include upgrades at Iju, Adiyan, and Akute waterworks, as well as the near-completion of the Adiyan II treatment plant, which is expected to serve an additional three million residents.
Once completed, these initiatives are projected to significantly improve water access, reliability, and overall distribution efficiency across Lagos.
