The Lagos State Government has entered into a partnership with a Chinese-led consortium to expand access to potable water by developing critical water infrastructure across the state.

The collaboration follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Thursday, July 9, 2026, with China Harbour Engineering Company and Naston Engineering Nigeria Limited to begin the scoping and definition of key components of the state’s water infrastructure development project.

According to a statement published on the Lagos State Government’s website, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, described the agreement as a significant milestone in strengthening the state’s water supply infrastructure, reaffirming the government’s commitment to providing sustainable, safe and reliable potable water for its growing population.

Wahab said the one-year MoU establishes a collaborative framework for the development of two strategic project lots, which will serve as the foundation for the next phase of Lagos’ water infrastructure expansion.

“Under the agreement, the first Project Lot will focus on the installation of a water transmission pipeline beneath the Lagos Lagoon into the Lekki Concession Area.

“While the second project lot will define downstream distribution activities including metering and last-mile connections within the concession area.

“At the end of the engagement, the State is expected to receive a comprehensive technical report and implementation framework that will guide the execution of the projects and facilitate the preparation of a concession agreement between the Lagos State Government and the consortium,” he said.

The commissioner noted that the engagement is expected to establish the technical and commercial framework required to advance the projects into the implementation phase.

Speaking on behalf of Naston Engineering Nigeria Limited, the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Kole Funsho, thanked the Lagos State Government for its confidence in the consortium. He described the signing of the MoU as the beginning of a process that would culminate in the delivery of a robust, commercially viable water infrastructure project.

Funsho said the agreement clearly outlines the scope of the proposed concession and reaffirmed the consortium’s commitment to delivering the required technical studies within the stipulated timeframe, or even ahead of schedule.

He disclosed that the consortium would prepare detailed engineering designs, project cost estimates and tariff structures needed to support the final concession agreement with the Lagos State Government.

According to him, the successful execution of the assignment will require close collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and other relevant government agencies to obtain critical drainage and infrastructure data.

He explained that the information would help ensure the proposed transmission pipelines are properly aligned without disrupting existing roads, drainage systems and other public infrastructure.

The Lagos State Government announced in January 2025 plans to expand pipe-borne water access to the majority of households across the state by 2027 as part of efforts to improve water supply and meet the needs of its growing population.