The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Dangiwa, has pledged to deepen the integration of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services into Nigeria’s housing and urban development plans.
Dangiwa made the commitment on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving members of the Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), a civil society network led by its National Coordinator, Mr Attah Benson.
He said the ministry would strengthen collaboration with civil society organisations to improve access to water, sanitation and basic urban infrastructure, particularly in underserved communities.
According to the minister, housing development must go beyond the construction of buildings to include essential services such as water supply, sanitation systems, drainage and access roads.
“We are not only focused on increasing housing stock but also on ensuring that communities are liveable and sustainable through integrated infrastructure,” he said.
Dangiwa noted that NEWSAN’s activities align with the ministry’s mandate, particularly in urban renewal, slum upgrading and service delivery.
He said the ministry is implementing the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme to improve living conditions in urban and semi-urban areas lacking basic amenities.
He explained that the programme provides solar-powered street lighting, drainage systems, access roads, water supply and sanitation facilities, among other interventions.
The minister also stressed the importance of data-driven planning, noting that collaboration with civil society groups would enhance access to credible data on sanitation gaps and open defecation trends.
He said achieving Goal 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on sustainable cities is closely linked to Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation, adding that both must be pursued together.
Dangiwa further confirmed the ministry’s participation in the National Task Group on Sanitation and directed relevant departments to strengthen engagement with NEWSAN to improve coordination and data sharing.
He acknowledged funding constraints but said progress has been made through targeted interventions, including constituency projects facilitated by lawmakers.
According to him, over 150 communities have benefited from water, sanitation and related infrastructure projects implemented by the ministry in the past two years.
Earlier, Mr Benson said NEWSAN serves as a national platform for more than 300 civil society organisations working to improve access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services across Nigeria.
He said the network focuses on advocacy, community mobilisation, policy engagement and monitoring of WASH interventions, with a strong emphasis on ending open defecation.
Benson noted that the organisation works closely with grassroots structures, including community associations and traditional institutions, to promote behavioural change in sanitation and hygiene practices.
He, however, expressed concern over the slow pace of progress in eliminating open defecation, noting that only two states have so far attained Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
He called for stronger government leadership, particularly at the state level, and urged the integration of WASH financing into housing and infrastructure projects.
Benson also emphasised the need to mainstream WASH in national planning and strengthen climate-resilient sanitation infrastructure, especially in flood-prone areas.
Background
Nigeria continues to face significant challenges in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector, with disparities in access to services across regions.
According to available data, about one-third of Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water, while nearly half do not have basic sanitation facilities.
Many schools and health centres also operate without adequate toilets and handwashing facilities, raising public health concerns.
Poor WASH services contribute to the spread of preventable diseases, with diarrhoeal illnesses remaining a leading cause of death among children under five.
Experts estimate that more than 100,000 deaths annually are linked to WASH-related conditions, while the country loses about 1.3 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) each year due to inadequate sanitation and hygiene.
The Federal Government has, in recent years, intensified efforts to address these challenges through initiatives such as the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign and increased collaboration with development partners and civil society groups.
