Stakeholders from the water sector, civil society, and labour organisations have converged on Ibadan for a one-day training on legislative bill drafting aimed at advancing water justice in Ekiti, Oyo, and Lagos states.
The training, organised by the Ecumenical Water Network Nigeria under its project, “Voices for Water Justice in Ekiti, Lagos and Oyo States of Nigeria,” took place at the Conference Hall of the Institute of Church and Society. It brought together union leaders, policy advocates, and water sector experts to strengthen advocacy against water privatisation and promote equitable access to water.
In his opening remarks, the Director of the Christian Council of Nigeria’s Institute of Church and Society, Rev. Kolade Fadahunsi, underscored the interconnection between water, food, and climate within the ecological system. He raised concerns over declining access, affordability, and availability of water, warning that privatisation could further marginalise low-income communities in both urban and rural areas. He called for coordinated advocacy and legislative action to ensure water remains a public good under government management.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative, Philip Jakpor, reviewed the history of resistance to water privatisation in Nigeria. He noted a steady decline in access to potable water and highlighted efforts by civil society groups to oppose legislative moves to commercialise water resources, including contentious provisions in Lagos State and the National Water Resources Bill. He stressed the need for proactive legal engagement to prevent unfavourable policies from being enacted without adequate public scrutiny.
The General Manager of the Oyo State Water Corporation, Raul Amin, identified key structural challenges affecting water supply, including rapid urbanisation, industrial growth, pollution, and poor planning. He warned that Nigeria is edging towards water stress due to population increase and inadequate investment in infrastructure, calling for improved budgetary allocations and strategic planning to meet growing demand.
On his part, the Executive Director of the Environmental Defenders Network, Chima Williams, provided insights into the legislative process. He emphasised the importance of developing sound legal alternatives and justifications for policy reforms, noting that advocacy without legal backing may not yield enforcement. He also highlighted the need for strategic engagement with lawmakers and a proper understanding of political dynamics.
Participants at the training agreed on the urgency of developing people-centred water policies, strengthening legal advocacy, and building alliances capable of influencing legislative outcomes in favour of public access to water.
Organisations represented at the training included the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), the Oyo State Water Corporation, and the Community Development Initiative (CDI), among others.
Union leaders at the event resolved to jointly draft a Water Justice Bill for transmission to state legislatures, describing the move as a critical step towards ensuring that access to clean and affordable water remains a fundamental right for all Nigerians.
Story credits: Elvira Jordan
