Jigawa records major boost in rural water access as federal authorities, AfDB partners, and RUWASA intensify intervention
AfDB-Backed Rural Water Project Expands to Jigawa as Federal Team Visits Kiyawa Community
By Abdulhamid Sani Dutse Public Eye News
Dutse, Jigawa State
Jigawa State has received a significant boost in its drive to expand access to clean water and sanitation, following the rollout of a federal government backed intervention under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in collaboration with the African Development Bank.
The initiative, part of the Inclusive Basic Services Delivery and Livelihood Empowerment Integrated Programme (IBSD-LEIP), is focused on developing a Comprehensive Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Investment Plan aimed at strengthening sector wide planning, coordination, and sustainable service delivery across Nigeria.
After successfully covering 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the programme has now been extended to 13 additional states, including Jigawa State, marking a major milestone in the quest for nationwide rural WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) coverage.
As part of the groundwork for the project, no fewer than 98 enumerators have been deployed across the 27 Local Government Areas of Jigawa State to conduct baseline surveys that will guide data driven planning and implementation.
In a significant show of commitment, a high-powered delegation from the Federal Ministry, under the Federal Programme Coordination Unit (FPCU), on Thursday, April 23, 2026, paid a field visit to Gudduba Community in Kiyawa Local Government Area. The visit was led by the Managing Director of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Abubakar Sidi, alongside his state technical team.
The visit underscored ongoing efforts to align federal interventions with state-level priorities, particularly under the leadership of Governor Umar Namadi, whose administration has made rural water access and sanitation a cornerstone of its development agenda.
Under Governor Namadi’s stewardship, Jigawa has witnessed renewed investment in water infrastructure, including the rehabilitation and construction of solar powered boreholes, expansion of rural water schemes, and strengthening of community based management systems. These efforts are now being complemented by the AfDB supported initiative, further accelerating progress toward universal access.
Speaking through actions on the ground, Engr. Abubakar Sidi’s leadership at RUWASA continues to translate policy into impact. His administration has emphasized sustainability, inclusiveness, and grassroots engagement ensuring that rural communities like Gudduba are not left behind in the state’s development trajectory.
Development experts note that the integration of federal support, international financing, and state driven execution represents a strategic convergence capable of transforming the rural water landscape in Jigawa. The baseline survey currently underway is expected to provide critical data for long-term investment planning and targeted interventions.
Community members in Kiyawa LGA expressed optimism during the visit, describing the initiative as timely and transformative, particularly in addressing longstanding water and sanitation challenges.
With the combined efforts of the federal government, development partners, and the Jigawa State administration, the future of rural water supply in the state appears increasingly secure signaling not just improved access to clean water, but a broader pathway to public health, economic stability, and sustainable development.
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