Training on Legislative Bill Drafting for Water Justice Held in Ibadan

Ibadan, Nigeria – April 12, 2026

Stakeholders from across the water, civil society, and labor sectors convened in Ibadan for a one-day training on legislative bill drafting focused on advancing water justice in Ekiti, Oyo, and Lagos States. The training which was organized by the Ecumenical Water Network Nigeria as part of her ongoing project “Voices for Water Justice in Ekiti, Lagos and Oyo States of Nigeria” held at the Conference Hall of the Institute of Church and Society, brought together union representatives, policy advocates, and water sector experts to strengthen collective efforts against water privatization and promote equitable access to water.

In his opening remarks, Reverend Kolade Fadahunsi, Director of the Christian Council of Nigeria’s Institute of Church and Society, emphasized the critical link between water, food, and climate within the broader ecological framework. He highlighted the growing concerns around water accessibility, affordability, and availability, warning that privatization would disproportionately affect low-income communities across urban and rural areas. He called for organized advocacy and legislative engagement to ensure that water remains a public good managed by government institutions.

Speaking on ongoing interventions, Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative, traced the history of resistance against water privatization in Nigeria. He noted a steady decline in water accessibility and described efforts by civil society to challenge legislative attempts to commercialize water resources, including controversial provisions in Lagos State and the National Water Resources Bill. He stressed the importance of proactive legal engagement to prevent unfavorable policies from being enacted without public scrutiny.

Raul Amin, General Manager of the Oyo State Water Corporation, outlined structural challenges affecting water supply, including rapid urbanization, industrialization, pollution, and inadequate planning. He warned that Nigeria is approaching water stress levels due to population growth and insufficient investment in water infrastructure. Amin also highlighted the need for improved budgetary allocations and strategic master planning to meet rising demand.

Chima Williams, Executive Director of the Environmental Defenders Network, provided insights into the legislative process, stressing the importance of drafting strong legal alternatives and justifications for proposed amendments or repeals. He underscored the need for strategic engagement with lawmakers and warned that policy statements without legal backing cannot guarantee enforcement. He further emphasized the importance of understanding political dynamics and ensuring credible representation in legislative processes.

Participants at the training agreed on the urgent need to develop people-centered water policies, strengthen advocacy through legal frameworks, and build alliances capable of influencing legislative outcomes in favor of public water access.

Organizations represented at the training included the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), the Water Corporation of Oyo State (WCOS), and the Community Development Initiative (CDI), among others.

The Union leaders agreed to co-draft a water Justice bill as a public concern and transmitted to the States Parliaments. The training marks a significant step toward building a coordinated movement for water justice in Nigeria, ensuring that access to clean and affordable water remains a fundamental right for all.