Water for all: How Ondo State’s Ministry of Water Resources is driving access, sanitation, and development
By Julius Alabi, Akure
In Ondo State, water is more than a basic necessity. It is the lifeblood of communities, the foundation of public health, and a key driver of socio-economic development. Behind the steady strides towards improved access to clean water and sanitation stands the Ministry of Water Resources and Public Sanitation — an institution that has become synonymous with reform, innovation, and service delivery.
Through strategic investments in water infrastructure, rehabilitation of existing facilities, and expansion of urban water schemes, the ministry has positioned itself as a frontline driver of the government’s agenda to deliver water to every household. Boreholes, mini-water schemes, and the revival of major dams have transformed the narrative from scarcity to steady availability.
The present administration of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is championing development in Ondo State through the OUR EASE Agenda, a comprehensive seven-point blueprint anchored on; Order and Security, Urban and Rural Development, Revolutionary Technology and Industrialisation, Efficient Healthcare, Adequate Power and Energy. Sustainable Infrastructure and Tourism and Education and Human Capital Development.
At the helm of the ministry’s drive is the Commissioner for Water Resources and Public Sanitation, Hon. Ayodele Akande FCA, whose leadership has been marked by energy, inclusiveness, and vision.
Under his stewardship, the ministry has accelerated project delivery, championed collaboration with donor agencies, and set ambitious targets in line with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“We are not just providing water,” Akande often emphasizes. “We are providing dignity, health, and opportunities for our people.”
The Ministry’s achievements go beyond physical infrastructure. Strong policy direction and reforms have been central to progress. By strengthening regulatory frameworks, enhancing collaboration with development partners, and introducing innovative financing models, Ondo State has ensured sustainability in water management.
The integration of sanitation into its portfolio has also been a masterstroke. By tying access to clean water with improved hygiene practices, the ministry is addressing public health concerns in a holistic way. Rural sanitation campaigns, open defecation-free initiatives, and waste-to-wealth projects are now part of its expanding mandate.
A key success factor has been the ministry’s emphasis on people. Community engagement, stakeholder consultations, and the inclusion of local leaders have made projects more sustainable. In some communities in Akoko, Okitipupa, Owo, and Ondo towns among others, residents testify to how community water projects have reduced the daily burden on women and children, who previously trekked long distances for water.
Healthcare workers in rural clinics confirm a decline in water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid — proof that access to safe water directly translates into healthier lives.
Recognizing that government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility, the ministry has opened doors to partnerships. Collaborations with international development organizations, private sector investors, and civil society groups have broadened funding and technical support.
Innovations such as solar-powered water schemes and smart monitoring systems are gradually redefining water service delivery in Ondo State. These forward-looking initiatives ensure sustainability, even in remote communities.
The future of water resources management in Ondo State looks promising. Plans are underway to expand urban water schemes, modernize wastewater management, and intensify campaigns against open defecation. The ministry’s long-term vision is to make Ondo State a model for water sufficiency and sanitation in Nigeria.
For the ordinary citizen, these plans mean more than just policy statements. They mean clean water running from taps, healthier children, thriving markets, and more productive communities.
Although, Akande often emphasized that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration has become a beacon of progress in governance, a government that does not only manage water but touches lives, transforms communities, and sustains development.
‘Kamomi Irorun’ ni Ondo.
