As deliberations continue, the workshop signals a shift in tone within Nigeria’s WASH advocacy space …
By TheInvestigator
The Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable financing, enhanced accountability, and climate-responsive implementation in Nigeria’s water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector, as it convened a high-level three-day advocacy strategy workshop for its Kano and Cross River chapters.
Speaking at the opening session held at the Women Environmental Programme (WEP), the National Coordinator of NEWSAN, Engr Attah Benson, described the workshop as a decisive step toward repositioning WASH as a public health and human dignity priority, particularly amid shrinking global funding flows.
The workshop, organised in collaboration with Self Help Africa under the WASH Systems for Health (WS4H) Project, brings together stakeholders from Kano and Cross River States to develop structured, evidence-based advocacy strategies capable of influencing policy, strengthening enforcement mechanisms, and institutionalising social accountability platforms.
Turning Advocacy Into Action
Engr Benson emphasised that advocacy must move beyond rhetoric to structured engagement.
“An advocacy strategy provides a roadmap for turning evidence, values, and community voices into policy change and action,” he stated, urging participants to co-create practical frameworks that reflect local realities.
He outlined clear objectives for the workshop, including:
“Establishing a shared understanding of WASH priorities and challenges in Kano and Cross River States.
“Strengthening policy enforcement and institutionalising social accountability mechanisms. Improving transparency in WASH planning and reporting.
“Promoting inclusive and gender-responsive WASH systems. Integrating findings from LGA-wide assessments and climate resilience studies into state-level advocacy roadmaps.
“And developing a multi-stakeholder-driven advocacy roadmap to enhance ownership of the WS4H initiative.”
The National Coordinator of NEWSAN, Engr Attah Benson speaking.
Responding To Global Funding Shifts
In a strong policy signal, NEWSAN acknowledged the impact of global funding withdrawals, particularly by the United States Government, on Nigeria’s WASH landscape. Engr Benson said the shift presents an opportunity for Nigeria to rethink its financing architecture.
“Given the current global funding realities, we saw the urgent need to support the WASH sector in Nigeria to look inward and develop alternative sources of resource mobilisation,” he said.
Strengthening Accountability And Climate Integration
Beyond financing, NEWSAN reaffirmed its commitment to inclusion, transparency, and climate-aligned WASH implementation. The organisation will push for standardised templates on fund management transparency to strengthen follow-up on the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) project across seven states.
It also pledged continued expansion of the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) Mutual Accountability Mechanism (MAM) to a broader audience, reinforcing sector-wide commitments and performance tracking.
Importantly, NEWSAN committed to advocating for the integration of climate action and WASH priorities into Nigeria’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), positioning WASH as central to climate resilience and sustainable development.
A Sector At A Turning Point
Engr Benson described the moment as pivotal for Nigeria’s WASH ecosystem.
“Our goal is clear: to ensure that WASH is prioritised as a cornerstone of public health and human dignity,” he declared, calling on participants to engage fully and leave the workshop with renewed energy to drive systemic change.
As deliberations continue, the workshop signals a shift in tone within Nigeria’s WASH advocacy space, from dependence on external financing toward structured domestic resource mobilisation, institutional accountability, and climate-responsive planning.