The Federal Government says its urban renewal programme has delivered critical infrastructure to over 150 communities across Nigeria in the past two years, as part of efforts to improve living conditions in underserved areas.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, disclosed this during a meeting with the Society for Water and Sanitation in Abuja.
According to the minister, the interventions span key sectors including road construction, drainage systems, electricity, solar street lighting, water supply, sanitation facilities, and community-based micro-stores.
He explained that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to upgrade slums and promote sustainable urban development, particularly in densely populated areas lacking basic amenities.
Dangiwa noted that the ministry is also exploring collaboration with NEWSAN to strengthen nationwide advocacy on water, sanitation, and hygiene, stressing that both organisations share aligned development priorities.
He added that the government’s urban renewal drive is designed to support the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities, and Goal 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation.
Despite the progress, the minister acknowledged that limited funding remains a major constraint, hindering the expansion of the programme to more communities nationwide.
He further revealed that a significant portion of constituency projects facilitated through the ministry by lawmakers is focused on water and sanitation, which he described as critical to improving public health and quality of life.
According to him, over 60 percent of these interventions target water and sanitation needs due to their immediate impact on communities.
Dangiwa credited the ministry’s Special Projects Unit, alongside departments such as Urban and Regional Development and Engineering Services, for driving the implementation of these projects.
He also assured stakeholders of the ministry’s commitment to adopting data-driven approaches, including documenting project outcomes before and after execution to better demonstrate impact and accountability.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, said efforts are ongoing to address sanitation challenges despite financial limitations. He revealed that the ministry is considering the construction of safe public toilets in markets and other public spaces.
Earlier, NEWSAN National Coordinator, Benson Attah, said the organisation collaborates with over 300 civil society and community-based groups to expand access to clean water and sanitation across Nigeria.
While commending the government’s efforts in housing, Attah urged increased focus on water, sanitation, and hygiene, noting that progress remains uneven across states.
He recalled Nigeria’s 2018 declaration of a national emergency on water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as ongoing policies aimed at eliminating open defecation.
According to him, only a few states have achieved open defecation-free status, highlighting the need for stronger collaboration between federal and state governments.
