…Targets Improved Coordination, Funding, and Stakeholder Engagement for Greater Impact
Abuja, Oct. 8, 2025 — The Federal Government has reiterated its strong commitment to achieving the objectives of the World Bank-supported Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme, emphasizing the need for effective coordination, adequate funding, and active stakeholder engagement.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE, stated this while delivering his keynote address at the 4th Federal Steering Committee (FSC) Meeting of the SURWASH Programme held on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to a statement signed by Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, Director of Information and Public Relations, Prof. Utsev commended members of the Steering Committee for their dedication to advancing the Programme’s implementation. He reaffirmed that the goals of SURWASH align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in promoting inclusive access to safe water and improved sanitation services across Nigeria.
Prof. Utsev outlined notable achievements under the Programme, including the provision of new water supply systems, improved sanitation facilities, and installation of WASH infrastructure in health centres and schools. He said greater results are expected with the completion of the Year 4 Independent Verification Agent (IVA) Report and the upcoming second verification cycle, which will enhance disbursements to states.
Providing updates on the ongoing Mid-Term Review (MTR) and Programme Restructuring, the Minister noted that the first phase, completed in February 2025, realigned Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) to improve results and fund flow. The second phase, currently underway, focuses on financial reallocation, rate adjustments, and onboarding of ten new states, expanding participation from seven to seventeen states.
He urged states to finalize their budgets and work plans promptly to avoid implementation delays, pledging federal support through the upgrading of Programme Coordination Units (PCUs) at both federal and state levels.
> “Let us continue to collaborate and push forward the implementation of SURWASH. With effective coordination and commitment, we will achieve the Programme’s objectives and deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda,”
— Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation
Prof. Utsev expressed appreciation to the World Bank for its continued technical and financial support, and lauded the Federal Executive Council, state commissioners, and Programme Coordinators for their steadfast cooperation in driving success.
Also speaking, the Director of Water Supply, Mr. Mukaila Segun Babarinde, urged state commissioners to sensitize their peers about the Programme and ensure wider participation.
In his progress report, Engr. Abdulhamid Gwaram, National Coordinator of SURWASH, noted that the Programme’s performance remains strong in institutional strengthening and moderate in service delivery. He acknowledged initial challenges associated with the Program-for-Results (PforR) model but commended participating states for their growing understanding and performance.
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“The better states perform, the more support they will receive to expand services,” Engr. Gwaram said, encouraging sustained dedication to ensure continued progress.
The review meeting was attended by state commissioners, representatives of relevant ministries, World Bank officials, and other key stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector. The initial participating states include Delta, Gombe, Imo, Ekiti, Kaduna, Katsina, and Plateau.
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