Saturday, July 18, 2026

UNICEF identifies $9 billion funding gap in Nigeria’s water, sanitation sector

Ms Khan said that for Nigeria to achieve the roadmap for the WASH sector, the funding gaps must be closed.

• September 12, 2023
UNICEF
UNICEF

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has identified a funding gap of $9.2 billion in the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Nigeria.

Deputy representative of programme, UNICEF Nigeria, Rownak Khan, disclosed this when she visited the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, and the Minister of State, Bello Goronyo, in Abuja.

Ms Khan said that for Nigeria to achieve the roadmap for the WASH sector, the funding gaps must be closed. She noted that tiers of government must do more by providing an enabling environment that would advance the cause.

According to her, working together to change the poor narrative will require new government financing at all levels, noting low water access and poor sanitation are affecting children the most.

She pledged UNICEF’s sustained partnership with the federal government to achieve the campaign to end open defecation and Improve access to water supply.

Addressing the delegation, the minister acknowledged the huge contributions of UNICEF to Nigeria’s growth and development in education, health, water, and sanitation.

Mr Utsev said Nigeria would never underestimate the huge linkage between WASH, health promotion, economic growth, and development, saying it would help promote inclusive development.

“Nigerian government is also working on its programes like WASH in schools, WASH in health, and Youth WASH interventions,” he said.

Mr Utsev assured UNICEF of the federal government’s commitment to improving the nation’s WASH sector, adding that the government’s door was always open for more collaboration with development partners.

Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr Goronyo, stressed the need for key stakeholders in the WASH sector to up their game in supporting the federal government to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.

He said partnership with the federal government would help achieve the campaign to end open defecation and improve access to water supply.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Joint Case Team on Cybercrime (JCTC)

NationWide

Stakeholders seek robust digital evidence management against AI-driven cybercrime 

Ms Akaaga-Ade said collective action remained central to combating cybercrime.

Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria

NationWide

Chartered insurance institute inaugurates Orimolade as 53rd president

The new president said his administration would build on the achievements of his predecessor, Yetunde Ilori.

Nigerian Navy

NationWide

Navy’s intelligence-driven operations boosted oil production to 1.7 million bpd: Official 

Mr Folorunsho said that one of the major operational successes recorded was the arrest of the motor tankers MKPODU, WESTAF, and STELIOS K.

Apple and Nvidia logo

World

Apple overtakes Nvidia briefly to become world’s most valuable company

Apple’s leap on Friday briefly made it the first time that the hardware and software manufacturer had the biggest capitalisation’s title for the first time since April 2025.

WHO health workers in protective gear .

Africa

DRC recorded 828 Ebola deaths, 2,124 cases: WHO

The WHO noted that the latest patient was discharged on July 16 after testing negative twice.