Lagos Commissions Rehabilitated Akilo Mini Waterworks, Expands Access to Safe Water for 100,000 Residents

The Lagos State Government has officially commissioned the rehabilitated and upgraded Akilo (Isheri-Oke) Mini Waterworks in Ogba, Ikeja, marking a significant milestone in its drive to expand access to safe, potable water across underserved communities.

The 1.0 million gallons per day (MGD) mini waterworks—equivalent to 4,500 cubic metres of water daily—was commissioned by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, who described the project as a fulfillment of the administration’s commitment to restoring dignity, improving public health, and ensuring access to clean water as a fundamental human right.

Originally constructed in 2011, the Akilo Mini Waterworks had gradually fallen into disrepair. Its revival, the Governor noted, demonstrates what deliberate governance, strategic partnerships, and targeted investment can achieve when infrastructure commitments are translated into action.

The rehabilitation project was delivered through a collaboration between the Lagos State Government, WaterAid Nigeria, and funding support from Armani Beauty, with a total investment exceeding ₦776 million, and additional technical and infrastructure upgrades valued at over ₦1 billion.

The Managing Director of the Lagos Water Corporation, Engr Mukhtaar Tijani in his address disclosed that the upgraded facility now serves an estimated 100,000 residents across parts of Ojodu, Agege, and Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Areas.

According to Tijani, works executed under the project include the drilling of new boreholes, replacement of all electromechanical equipment, rehabilitation of the distribution network, installation of 100 prepaid household water meters, and deployment of 20 bulk water kiosks to ensure equitable access for households without direct connections.

The LWC boss also confirmed that the kiosks have been strategically located to provide last-mile access to safe water, particularly for vulnerable and low-income residents.

Addressing stakeholders at the commissioning, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the commissioning aligns directly with the Health and Environment pillar of the State’s THEMES+ Agenda, noting that clean water remains one of the most critical environmental and public health imperatives.

According to him, improved access to potable water will significantly reduce water-borne diseases, enhance child and family health outcomes, and boost community productivity. He reaffirmed the State’s commitment to inclusive water infrastructure delivery, assuring residents that Lagos’ vision for water sufficiency is deliberate, statewide, and leaves no community behind.

The project also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on people-centred development, equitable access to basic services, and infrastructure-driven improvements in quality of life. By expanding safe water access in underserved urban communities, the initiative translates national priorities into tangible, everyday benefits for citizens.

Beyond Akilo, the Lagos State Government disclosed plans to replicate similar donor-supported interventions across additional communities, alongside ongoing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements for the rehabilitation of seven micro and mini waterworks across the State.

At the same time, the State is advancing large-scale water security infrastructure, notably the Adiyan Phase II Waterworks, which is expected to add 70 million gallons per day to Lagos’ water supply capacity upon completion, complementing the existing Adiyan I and Iju Waterworks.

Tijani also highlighted the fact that the Akilo Mini Waterworks represents WaterAid Nigeria’s first urban-scale water infrastructure intervention in the country. According to him, beyond water production, WaterAid has also supported WASH governance reforms and the provision of sanitation facilities in schools, healthcare centres, and communities, including Agidingbi High School and Ogba Primary Health Centre.

Future collaborations under the One Lagos WASH Programme and the TeamWater Project are already underway, with funding secured for the rehabilitation of the Ojokoro Waterworks, and additional private-sector-led initiatives such as the Lagos Aqua Initiative in development.

Both the State Government and the Lagos Water Corporation called on community leaders and residents to take ownership of the facility, protect the infrastructure, and ensure its sustainable use. The Akilo Mini Waterworks, officials noted, represents more than physical infrastructure—it symbolizes hope, dignity, and renewed confidence in the capacity of government and partners to deliver essential services.

With the commissioning of the Akilo Mini Waterworks, Lagos State reinforces its commitment to sustainable urban water management, resilient infrastructure, and inclusive service delivery—laying another foundation stone in the journey toward long-term water security for Africa’s largest city.