Lagos, March 24, 2026 (NAN) Stakeholders have called for gender-inclusive and disability-sensitive policies to improve access to water and sanitation in Lagos State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the call was made during a walk on Tuesday in Lagos to commemorate World Water Day 2026 with the theme: “Water and Gender.”
Mr Henry Adenigba, the Executive Director of Hope for the Future of People with Disabilities, a civil society partner of Water Aid, urged the state to integrate gender and disability inclusion into water governance.
Adenigba recommended mandatory representation of women and persons with disabilities on boards of water agencies and sector institutions in the state.
He also called for gender budgeting and impact assessments in collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
According to him, policies should support women’s leadership and economic empowerment within the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) value chain.
He proposed establishing a Women in WASH Leadership Fund to support female entrepreneurs through funding, mentorship and capacity building.
Adenigba stressed the need to expand credit access for women-led WASH enterprises through partnerships with microfinance institutions.
He also advocated institutionalising menstrual hygiene management in line with the Lagos State WASH Policy 2024.
He urged integration of menstrual health education into school curricula and provision of sanitation products for girls in low-income schools.
Adenigba emphasised the adoption of disability-inclusive designs in public WASH infrastructure, including ramps, handrails and tactile signage.
He added that persons with disabilities should be involved in infrastructure design, monitoring and evaluation processes.
He called for climate-resilient WASH systems to reduce women’s burden in water collection and improve access in vulnerable communities.
He recommended establishing a gender and disability dashboard under the Lagos Bureau of Statistics for tracking progress.
Dr Hassan Sanuth, representing the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, said the government prioritises inclusive water access.
Sanuth noted that lack of accessible water disproportionately affects women and girls, increasing inequality and hardship.
The Managing Director of the Lagos Water Corporation, Mr Mukhtar Tijani, said the essence of the event was to promote water availability, accessibility and affordability.
Tijani noted that when water is accessible and affordable, inequality would reduce, but current gaps place a heavier burden on women and girls.
He stressed the need for inclusiveness in water policy formulation, governance, management, conservation and maintenance.
Tijani assured that stakeholders’ recommendations would be conveyed to the Commissioner and the state governor for necessary action.
Dr Adebayo Alao, Lagos Project Lead, WaterAid Nigeria, highlighted the burden women face in accessing clean water.
Alao said women and children remain the most affected, stressing the need for their inclusion in decision-making processes.
He noted that while government efforts are commendable, more collaboration with the private sector is required.
According to him, private sector investment is critical to improving water supply in a megacity like Lagos.
Alao added that the Lagos State WASH Policy provides a framework for increased private sector participation in service delivery.
NAN reports that stakeholders called for stronger partnerships among government, development partners and civil society to achieve inclusive water access.
Some of WaterAid Nigeria partners for the event included the Lagos State Waste Management Agency, the Lagos Water Corporation, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and Cummins. (NAN)
