Speaking at the ongoing 2025 ministerial briefing to mark the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, Wahab disclosed that the grant was supported by the Government of Japan and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Notably, Lagos, Nigeria’s vibrant megacity with over 20 million residents, faces recurring public health challenges, including cholera outbreaks driven by contaminated water, poor sanitation, and urban overcrowding.
Lagos Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, speaking at a media briefing on the Seasonal Climate Predictions
This funding marks a critical step towards improving environmental health and safeguarding Lagosians from this preventable yet deadly disease.
Cholera, caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacterium, spreads through contaminated water and food, thriving in areas with inadequate sanitation. Lagos has faced multiple outbreaks, with a notable surge in June 2024, reporting 579 cases and 43 deaths across local government areas such as Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, and Kosofe. The 2024 outbreak was linked to unregulated street beverages and contaminated water sources, as confirmed by LASEPA’s environmental sampling.
The $225,000 grant will help to better equip LASEPA to tackle these root causes, focusing on prevention through environmental interventions.
For residents, this means a targeted effort to reduce cholera’s toll. The grant could fund enhanced water quality monitoring, particularly in high-risk communities where boreholes and wells often fail to meet safety standards.
LASEPA’s ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Health to collect water, food, and beverage samples will likely intensify, helping identify and eliminate sources of contamination. This is especially vital for low-income households reliant on informal water vendors, who are disproportionately affected by waterborne diseases.
A substantial portion of the funding is likely to support improvements in water and sanitation infrastructure, reinforcing lessons from LASEPA’s 2024 anti-open defecation campaign along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Investment in safe water points, sewage upgrades, and drainage systems in flood-prone areas like Badagry and Oworoshoki could significantly reduce exposure to waterborne diseases.
Rapid response capability will likely also be bolstered. In 2024, swift action helped contain an outbreak in Kirikiri prison; now, enhanced laboratory equipment and an expanded network of zonal offices could ensure quicker detection and intervention citywide. Public spaces, schools, and markets — where cholera often spreads rapidly — stand to benefit.
LASEPA General Manager, Babatunde Ajayi
Equally critical is community engagement. Building on initiatives like the “Eko Clean Air” programme, LASEPA can foster grassroots hygiene practices while enforcing sanitation laws. Empowering residents to monitor and report violations could also help curb illegal dumping and protect public health.
While the $225,000 grant is a significant boost, it is modest compared to Lagos’ public health needs. The city’s population density and strained infrastructure require sustained investment, with experts estimating $10–20 million annually for comprehensive water and sanitation upgrades.
Residents may worry that the grant’s impact could be limited unless prioritised for high-risk areas and paired with transparent allocation. LASEPA’s history of expanding zonal offices suggests effective scaling, but public trust hinges on visible results, such as cleaner water sources or fewer cholera cases.
Nonetheless, the $225,000 grant to LASEPA represents a lifeline for Lagos residents battling cholera’s persistent threat. By enhancing water quality monitoring, improving sanitation infrastructure, strengthening surveillance, and fostering community engagement, the grant lays the groundwork for a healthier, more resilient city.
For residents, this could mean fewer hospital visits, safer food and water, and a reduced fear of outbreaks disrupting daily life. While challenges remain, this funding, if strategically deployed, signals hope for a Lagos where clean water and sanitation are not privileges but guarantees for all.
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