Bridging Supply: Lagos Water Corporation Takes Dynamic Step Towards Inclusive PPP in Water Access

L-R: LWC Executive Director (Operations) Engr. Mrs. Helen Taiwo; LWC MD, Engr. Mukhtaar Tijani; DG-PPP. Mr. Fatai Idowu Onafowokan, representative SA. to Gov on PPP., Mr Segun Ayegba

 

In a decisive move to improve the quality and reach of water supply in Lagos State, key stakeholders gathered recently for a pivotal engagement session on the pilot Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative of the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC).

At the heart of the discussions was a need to align expertise and present a united front in advocating for sustainable water access through collaborative efforts.

Opening his presentation, Engr. Mukhtaar Tijani, Managing Director of the LWC addressed a prevalent misconception head-on: that the Lagos Water Corporation favors affluent “high-brow areas” over underserved communities.

“There is no segregation,” Tijani clarified firmly. “In fact, major drilling plants are geographically located in the mainland, many even outside Lagos in Ogun State. Statistically, the lower-income areas actually receive more consistent water supply today.”

He explained that the positioning of infrastructure was not politically influenced but rather based on geographical logic and operational feasibility. “The high-brow areas are not left out. They receive supply as well, but the first phase of the PPP is deliberately structured to balance distribution between high-income and low-income communities.”

The conversation inevitably touched on the age-old question: Should water be free?

Tijani acknowledged the sentiment.

“Water is life. It’s essential to everything we do,” he said.

“But the reality is that people are already paying for water from private tankers—at higher rates and with no regulation. Yet, when it comes to government, people expect it to be free.”

This, he argued, was part of the rationale behind the PPP initiative—to introduce private sector efficiency and investment while maintaining regulatory oversight and fairness. “We need to support the government in delivering this crucial commodity. By involving private players, we’re aiming for scale, reliability, and sustainability.”

Responding to concerns about representation, Tijani emphasized that the stakeholder session was inclusive. “Participants weren’t selected based on geography. Most are NGOs operating across the state. It was a blanket invitation to ensure all voices were heard.”

This openness, he noted, is part of the ongoing effort to build trust and educate the public on the dynamics and expectations of a successful PPP model in public utilities.

Taking the podium in a reflective and hopeful tone, Mr. Olakunle Adegbite, Permanent Secretary, Water Resources, and Drrainage Services noted the gravity of the issues at hand.

Highlighting the gaps between demand and capacity, Mr. Adegbite said, “There’s a difference between strong capacity value and operating capacity—and we know we’re far below what’s needed,” he admitted candidly. “But what we’re doing today shows that we are a serious people. We are not shy to admit the problem, and we have the knowledge to solve it.”

He praised the presence of the Public Procurement and PPP regulatory leaders in the room, describing it as a symbol of alignment between legal, political, and operational forces in the state. “This is a journey,” Adegbite said, “one of the first of many. We’re starting with small steps, but we are also laying the groundwork for establishing mega water treatment plants and tackling wastewater management.”

Both Tijani and Adegbite stressed that the success of this pilot PPP will rely not just on government and private entities, but on public understanding and support.

“We all have a role,” Tijani concluded. “Whether you’re an NGO, a policymaker, or a resident, the sustainability of Lagos’s water future depends on shared responsibility.”

As Lagos takes this strategic step towards building a more sustainable water supply system, this stakeholder engagement marks the beginning of a transformative chapter—one where access to clean water is not just a promise but a shared project of public good, private efficiency, and community trust.

This is what the LWC led by Engr Mukhtaar is selling; and from comments and remarks by stakeholders present, it does appear that Lagos residents are ready and willing to buy.

“Just Provide Water!