By Fabian Ekeruche
WaterAid Nigeria in collaboration with the Lagos State Government is hosting a two-day workshop on transparency, accountability, and inclusive participatory budgeting for actors in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Lagos.
The workshop brings together over 30 participants from some Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) of the Lagos State Government and the media.
In his welcome address, Lagos Office Team Lead for WaterAid Nigeria, Dr Adebayo Alao, emphasised the importance of prioritising WASH in the 2026 budget planning process.
Represented by Mr Elijah Ochimana, Urban Water Supply and Utility Coordinator, WaterAid, Alao stressed the need for increased budgetary allocation to WASH to end open defecation.
“Increased budgetary allocation to WASH is critical for ending open defecation, ensuring access to clean and safe water for all residents, and improving sanitation to prevent disease outbreaks across Lagos,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr Ayo Adebusoye, the Chairman of the Lagos Civil Society Participation for Development, called for a minimum annual allocation of one billion naira to WASH.
According to him, targeted hygiene education and greater investments at the local government levels are essential for Lagos to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 6 target of eliminating open defecation by 2030.
“Without strong fiscal commitment, our vision for a cleaner and healthier Lagos will remain out of reach,” Adebusoye noted.
The workshop aims to build consensus among policymakers, technical officers, and the media on strengthening the inclusiveness and accountability of the budgeting process for WASH.
It has the ultimate goal of ensuring healthier communities and improved quality of life for Lagos residents.
Some of the MDAs in attendance were the Ministries of Environment and Water Resources; Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Budget and Economic Planning; LAWMA; the Lagos State Water Corporation and the media.
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