In a major stride toward improving access to clean water and sanitation in Lagos State, WaterAid Nigeria, in partnership with the PepsiCo Foundation, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, commissioned and handed over newly constructed water and sanitation facilities at Agodo Alara Primary School and Ebuwawa Community, Agbede, both in Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
The ceremony, held at Agodo Alara Primary School and later at Ebuwawa Market Square, attracted key dignitaries including representatives of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, the Office of Drainage Services, the Office of Environmental Services, the Ikorodu North LCDA Chairman (represented by the Vice Chairman, Aliyu Matthew Adesanya), education stakeholders, civil society partners, community leaders, and members of the press.
Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the Country Director, WaterAid Nigeria, Dr. Adebayo Alao, Lagos State Lead for WaterAid, expressed joy at the successful completion and handover of the facilities, describing the moment as “a major step in advancing sustainable and inclusive access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in Lagos State.”
The intervention, part of the PepsiCo Foundation-funded Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Improvement Project (WASHIP), is a three-year initiative launched in September 2022. It aims to provide sustainable, reliable, and affordable WASH services to over 43,000 people while promoting improved hygiene practices among 100,000 individuals across six schools and one primary health centre in Ikorodu North, Ojodu, and Igando-Ikotun LCDAs.
Dr. Alao highlighted the impressive progress of the project: “During the first two years, we constructed six solar-powered, inclusive WASH facilities across six sites. In the third year, two more water facilities – one in Ebuwawa Community and another at Agodo Alara Primary School – were completed, alongside the rehabilitation of a six-compartment sanitation block.”
With these additions, the project has now provided direct WASH access to 54,489 people, surpassing its initial targets.
WaterAid also revealed the success of its Hygiene Behaviour Change (HBC) Campaign, which reached over 952,000 people through radio and mass media campaigns. The initiative has significantly improved awareness and adoption of key hygiene practices, including regular handwashing with soap, safe water handling, and proper sanitation behaviors.
To ensure sustainability, WaterAid established seven WASH Committees (WASHCOMs), formed Environmental Health Clubs (EHCs) in schools, and trained 35 young women as Female Local Area Mechanics (FLAMs) for routine maintenance and repair of facilities.
“These community structures ensure that ownership and management of the facilities remain in local hands,” Dr. Alao emphasised.
“We deeply appreciate the PepsiCo Foundation for their unwavering partnership and the Lagos State Government for their leadership in the WASH sector.”
He further urged the LCDA and the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to prioritise sustainability, allocate resources for maintenance, and replicate this model across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the Ikorodu North LCDA Chairman, Aliyu Matthew Adesanya commended WaterAid and PepsiCo Foundation for their commitment to community development.
“This project represents a sustainable solution that promotes cleanliness, reduces water-borne diseases, and supports productivity in our markets and schools,” he said.
“We call on traders, residents, and youths to take ownership of these facilities and ensure they remain functional for generations to come.”
Similarly, Prince Adeniran Ogunbanwo, Chairman of the Ikorodu North Community Development Committee (CDC), highlighted the collaborative effort that led to Agodo Alara’s inclusion in the project. He acknowledged the role of proactive teachers who continuously drew attention to the school’s dire sanitation conditions.
“It was community persistence and effective communication that brought this intervention here,” Ogunbanwo noted, while urging parents, teachers, and local authorities to prioritize facility maintenance and security.
Also speaking, Chief Lateef Adelowo, Baale of Agbede Ebuwawa Community, expressed gratitude for what he described as “a historic day” for his people.
“This is the first time Agbede is experiencing a water and solar-powered project of this magnitude. We will ensure proper maintenance so that, by next year, you will find it in excellent condition,” he assured.
The highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cement the partnership and clarify sustainability roles, coordinated by Mr. Rotimi Adenigba, Executive Director of the Humanity Family Foundation for Peace and Development (HUFFPED).
Dignitaries at the event included James Oyedele, Director, Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources; Mrs. Juliet Omoneh of SUBEB; Mrs. Juliet Olaide Oni, Head Teacher of Agodo Alara Primary School; Niyi Alabi, Chairman of Ebuwawa CDA; and several community representatives.
The commissioning marked not only the completion of vital infrastructure but also a deepened collaboration between government, corporate partners, civil society, and communities in ensuring that clean water and sanitation are not privileges but basic rights.
As the event concluded, Dr. Alao reaffirmed WaterAid’s vision: “We remain committed to working with all stakeholders to achieve universal access to sustainable, inclusive, and resilient WASH services in Nigeria’s schools and communities.”
By Ajibola Adedoye