AfDB, Ondo State, AFD Launch $222.9m Akure Water and Sanitation Project

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony held on 9 December, Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa described the project as a defining moment for the state’s development agenda.

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB), in collaboration with the Ondo State Government and Agence Française de Développement (AFD), has officially commenced construction of the Nigeria Urban Water Sector Reform and Akure Water Supply & Sanitation Project, a landmark $222.9 million investment aimed at transforming access to safe water and sanitation services in Ondo State.

The project is financed through a blended funding structure comprising $124.2 million from the African Development Bank Group, $59.3 million from AFD, and $39.4 million in counterpart funding from the Ondo State Government. This multi-partner approach reflects growing international and subnational commitment to strengthening water security, improving public health outcomes, and supporting inclusive and sustainable urban development in Nigeria.

When completed, the project is expected to directly benefit over 1.3 million residents across Akure, Ondo City, and surrounding towns including Idanre, Igbara-Oke, Ilara Mokin, Ibule-Soro, and Ipogun. These areas have long faced challenges related to inadequate water infrastructure, unreliable supply, and poor sanitation systems, with significant implications for health, productivity, and quality of life.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony held on 9 December, Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa described the project as a defining moment for the state’s development agenda. He emphasized that access to clean water is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of economic and agricultural modernization. According to the governor, the initiative will serve as the backbone of Ondo State’s water supply and food security system, while also creating jobs, reducing waterborne diseases, and improving overall living standards across communities.

Representing the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Abdul Kamara, Director-General for Nigeria, highlighted the project’s strategic importance. He noted that the Akure Water Supply and Sanitation Project goes beyond infrastructure delivery, positioning it as a long-term investment in public health, climate resilience, and inclusive growth. He added that the project demonstrates the Bank’s commitment to translating development priorities into tangible and measurable impacts for Nigerian communities.

The project includes the rehabilitation and expansion of the Akure water supply system, the construction of modern sanitation facilities, and the establishment of a state-of-the-art faecal sludge treatment plant. These interventions are designed to ensure safe water production, efficient wastewater management, and environmentally sustainable sanitation solutions that meet growing urban demand.

In addition to physical infrastructure, the project places strong emphasis on institutional and policy reforms. It will strengthen the Federal Government’s capacity to advance urban water supply and sanitation reforms nationwide, while also enhancing the operational efficiency of the Ondo State Water Corporation. Planned reforms include modernized management systems, improved tariff structures, pro-poor service delivery models, and full recovery of operations and maintenance costs to ensure long-term sustainability.

The initiative also incorporates extensive hygiene promotion, environmental health programs, and faecal sludge management systems, alongside the development of a comprehensive sanitation and wastewater management plan aligned with Nigeria’s National WASH Action Plan (2018–2030). These measures aim to promote behavior change, reduce open defecation, and improve urban environmental conditions.

Ondo State Commissioner for Water Resources, Public Sanitation and Hygiene, Ayodele Akande, described the project as transformative for residents. He expressed a vision of a state where no child consumes unsafe water, every household has access to clean running water, and Ondo becomes a national model for effective public utility management.

Upon completion, the project is expected to significantly improve access to potable water, enhance sanitation services, strengthen institutional capacity, and contribute to a healthier, more resilient, and economically productive future for Akure and surrounding communities.