The Federal Government says it has delivered basic amenities to over 150 communities across Nigeria under its urban renewal and slum upgrading programmes as part of efforts to improve living conditions and accelerate sustainable development.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued Thursday, April 16, 2026, by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development following a meeting between the Minister, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, and the Society for Water and Sanitation in Abuja.
According to the Minister, the interventions carried out over the past two years have focused on providing critical infrastructure such as roads, drainage systems, water supply, sanitation facilities, electricity, and solar street lighting in underserved urban and slum areas.
He explained that the Ministry has also supported the provision of micro-stores and other basic amenities aimed at improving livelihoods in these communities.
Dangiwa noted that the Ministry is working to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 11 on sustainable cities, by addressing Goal 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation.
He emphasised that access to water and sanitation remains central to effective urban development, adding that partnerships with organisations like NEWSAN would strengthen advocacy and improve data-driven interventions nationwide.
Funding Constraints Limit Nationwide Coverage
Despite the progress recorded, the Minister acknowledged that budgetary limitations have restricted the Ministry’s ability to extend interventions across the entire country.
He revealed that a significant number of constituency projects facilitated through lawmakers are directed toward water and sanitation, noting that over 60 percent of such interventions prioritise these areas due to their direct impact on communities.
Dangiwa highlighted the role of the Ministry’s Special Projects Unit, alongside the Urban and Regional Development and Engineering Services Departments, in executing these interventions through both budgetary allocations and technical support.
He assured me that the Ministry would expand its reach as funding improves and as more partnerships are secured.
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Earlier, the National Coordinator of NEWSAN, Mr Benson Attah, said the organisation, which coordinates over 300 civil society and community-based groups across Nigeria, is committed to ensuring access to safe water and sanitation for all citizens.
He commended the Ministry’s efforts but called for increased focus on water, sanitation, and hygiene, stressing the need for stronger collaboration to meet national and global targets.
Attah also referenced Nigeria’s 2018 declaration of a state of emergency on water, sanitation, and hygiene, noting that progress has been slow, with only Jigawa and Katsina States achieving open defecation-free status so far.
He urged the Ministry to leverage its influence with state governments to promote open defecation-free communities and to ensure that water and sanitation components are included in construction contracts.
Ministry Commits to Data, Partnerships
In response, Dangiwa assured that the Ministry would continue to collaborate with stakeholders, share relevant data, and document projects before and after interventions to demonstrate impact.
Also speaking, Permanent Secretary Dr Shuaib Belgore noted that despite funding challenges, the Ministry is already addressing sanitation issues and is considering integrating safe toilet facilities in markets and public spaces.
The latest disclosure highlights a growing shift in Nigeria’s housing strategy, where urban development is increasingly being linked with access to water, sanitation, and basic services.
With over 150 communities already impacted, the Ministry says scaling up these interventions through partnerships and improved funding will be critical to achieving sustainable cities and improved living conditions nationwide.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.