Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH)
Act · Water
An Act coordinates investments from government, development partners, and the private sector to expand water supply, sanitation, and hygiene in rural and underserved areas. It targets rural communities, state water agencies, and NGOs working in these sectors. This achieves greater access to safe water through community engagement and strengthened institutions.
Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH)
What Is This Policy?
A national programme that coordinates government, development partner, and private sector investments to expand water supply, sanitation, and hygiene coverage, particularly in rural and underserved areas across Nigeria.
Who Does It Target?
Rural and underserved communities State and local government water agencies Development partners and NGOs working in WASH Private sector water service providers
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Achieve significant increases in access to safe water and improved sanitation in Nigeria through coordinated investment, community engagement, and strengthened institutional capacity.
Key Features
Coordinated Investment: Alignment of federal, state, development partner, and private sector funding Community Management: Support for community-based water system management and maintenance Sanitation Marketing: Promotion of affordable sanitation products and services Hygiene Promotion: Behaviour change campaigns for handwashing and safe water handling Monitoring: Data collection and performance tracking for WASH indicators
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active Coverage: All 36 states and FCT with emphasis on underserved areas Lead Agency: Federal Ministry of Water Resources Partners: UNICEF, World Bank, EU, bilateral donors, NGOs
How to Access
Communities benefit through state and LGA WASH programmes. State water agencies implement projects under PEWASH guidelines Communities participate in planning and management of water facilities
Official Resources
Website: waterresources.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Abuja
Legal Framework
Operates under the National Water Policy, the National Water Resources Act 2023, the National Sanitation Policy, and the Universal Basic Education Act 2004 (for school WASH). Draws on the SDG 6 targets, WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme standards, and the ECOWAS Water Policy.