SURWASH Is Not Just a Programme — It Is a National Movement
The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation opens the maiden edition of the SURWASH Newsletter with a charge to all stakeholders.
It is with great pride and a deep sense of responsibility that I present this edition of the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme Newsletter. This publication stands as a testament to the meaningful progress being achieved through collective commitment, strategic partnerships, and sustained investment in Nigeria's WASH sector.
The SURWASH Programme, a flagship initiative of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, continues to drive transformative change across its implementing states — Ekiti, Delta, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, and Plateau. Through a performance-based financing approach, the Programme is not only delivering infrastructure but also strengthening institutions, enhancing service delivery systems, and ensuring that results are measurable, transparent, impactful, and sustainable.
With the recent onboarding of seven additional states — Abia, Bauchi, Benue, Taraba, Ogun, Jigawa, and the Federal Capital Territory — the SURWASH Programme is entering a new phase of expansion and consolidation. The Ministry holds high expectations for these new entrants to drive a measurable turnaround in the WASH sector through the rehabilitation and modernisation of critical infrastructure, alongside strengthened institutional frameworks for sustainable service delivery.
This expansion presents a unique opportunity to accelerate reforms, deepen impact, and reinforce a culture of accountability and performance across all participating states — ultimately advancing Nigeria's journey toward universal access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.
This edition highlights significant milestones: the commissioning and rehabilitation of critical urban and small towns water supply schemes, accelerated progress toward Open Defecation Free status in rural communities, and notable advancements in capacity building at both state and local levels.
Beyond infrastructure, SURWASH represents a broader reform agenda — one that prioritises accountability, encourages innovation, and fosters collaboration among government institutions, development partners, the private sector, and communities. It is through this coordinated effort that we are addressing long-standing challenges and building resilient systems capable of meeting current and future demands.
Looking ahead, the Ministry is committed to scaling up proven interventions, expanding the Programme's reach, and deepening stakeholder engagement to ensure no community is left behind. Our focus remains clear: to institutionalise reforms, sustain service delivery, and improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians.
Together, we are laying a solid foundation for a healthier, more resilient, and economically productive nation — one community at a time. SURWASH is not just a programme. It is a national movement — driving transformation, restoring dignity, and securing a sustainable future for generations to come.
Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev FNSE
Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Water Resources & Sanitation