Stakeholders in Ekiti State have called for strengthened public water systems .
The stakeholders ,in a communique at the end of a one-day dialogue meeting on Advocacy Action for Sustainable Water Governance in Ekiti State, held at the DINABI Conference Room on 15th October, 2026 also rejected moves towards commercialization and privatization of water services.
The meeting, organized by Disability Not A Barrier Initiative (DINABI) with support from Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), was held in commemoration of the International Week of Action under the theme “Reclaiming Africa’s Water Future Through Strengthened Public Water Systems.”
The dialogue brought together community members and youth leaders, members of the Water Consumers Association (WCA), social media influencers, media practitioners and civil society organizations (CSOs).
The Executive Director of DINABI, Mr. Olajide Funso, gave an overview of water situation in Ekiti ,and stressed the need for stronger community participation and public accountability in water governance.
Participants observed that treating water primarily as a commodity raises concerns about affordability and equitable access, particularly for vulnerable communities and Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
They noted that private operators and financial institutions would prioritize profit and cost recovery over consumers’ needs, citing Ikogosi water as an example of a locally produced brand whose price raises questions about affordability within the state.
The meeting also observed uneven distribution of water, with areas like Bamigboye, Ajilosun and Okebola having access to water that is sometimes wasted, while areas such as Ikingbinsi, Olorunsogo and Ikere-Ekiti lack access. Participants further alleged that water sometimes flows only when officials from SURWASH/NEWSAN visit to verify.
Other observations include limited public understanding of water as a public service, with many equating it to availability of wells and boreholes, and the disproportionate effect on PWDs where water points are inaccessible.
Challenges identified include limited public awareness of water consumers’ rights, poor planning and uneven distribution of infrastructure, poor management and maintenance of public facilities, reported water charges reaching N5000 even when supply is inadequate, and weak monitoring of funds allocated for community water facilities.
To address the challenges, participants recommended that media practitioners and influencers should educate the public on water as a human right, community groups and CSOs should increase advocacy engagement with government, stakeholders should organize coordinated campaigns to engage policymakers, and the Water Consumers Association should pursue formal affiliation with the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN).
The communique further recommended that community members be involved in identifying water needs, monitoring service delivery and reporting challenges, and that water governance must take into account the needs of PWDs.
At the end of the meeting, participants made commitments including:
– The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) committed to developing news articles and reports highlighting water access challenges.
– Content creators, Goroso and Kopa Ekiti, committed to using their platforms to raise awareness against privatization.
– Community youth leaders committed to amplify community concerns for improved access to safe water.
– CSOs committed to use their platforms to advocate against privatization and leverage the NEWSAN network.
– The Water Consumer Association committed to strengthening engagement with NEWSAN and participating in joint advocacy action plan.
– Participants agreed on continued collaboration among community leaders, media, influencers, CSOs and water consumers to engage government authorities.