LWC Advances Strategic Subsea Water Project to Boost Potable Water Supply Along Lagos Coastal Corridor

LWC Advances Strategic Subsea Water Project to Boost Potable Water Supply Along Lagos Coastal Corridor

project targets Lagos Island, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki Phase 1 and Ajah

The Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) is advancing plans for a landmark subsea water transmission project designed to significantly improve access to reliable potable water across Lagos Island, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki Phase 1 and communities extending to Ajah.

The development was disclosed during a high-level strategic work-plan meeting and technical presentation held on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, at the LWC Headquarters, Ijora, Lagos. The meeting was chaired by the Managing Director, *Engr. Mukhtaar Temitope Tijani,* and attended by the Executive Director, Operations, *Engr. (Mrs.) Helen Omolanke Taiwo;* Director, Distribution, *Engr. Bolaji Ogunlewe;* Director, Production, *Engr. Mustapha Agiri;* Director, Compliance and Quality Management, *Mr. ‘Tola Fadare;* Director, Legal, *Barrister ‘Lanre Fashola;*

Also, in attendance were, Head/Deputy Director, Corporate Affairs and Brand Management, *Mrs. Kehinde Fashola;* Deputy Director, Corporate Affairs and Brand Management, *Mr. Anifowoshe Rasaq;* Head, Transformation and Strategy, *Engr. (Mrs.) Titilola Oridami-Bright;* *Mrs. Adekemi Adeniji-Adams;* *Mrs. Orifunke Lawal* and other senior management staff.

The presentation, led by Naston Engineering Limited’s Project Manager, *Mr. Jide Ottun,* alongside the company’s Managing Director, *Mr. Wole Funsho,* Finance Director, *Mr. Benson Ogbeide,* and representatives of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), *Mr. Jay Zhong* and *Mr. KaiLai Wu,* focused on the project’s technical design, financing structure, implementation timeline and data requirements.

Developed under the *Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework,* the proposed project is expected to address longstanding challenges associated with ageing water infrastructure, rising population, increasing demand and saline intrusion affecting groundwater sources within the coastal corridor.

A key feature of the project is the proposed installation of *two 1.2-metre-diameter subsea transmission pipelines beneath the Lagos Lagoon,* providing operational redundancy while reducing the need for extensive excavation along heavily congested road corridors. Strategic landfall points are proposed at Ilubirin and Lekki Phase 1.

The project is planned for implementation in two phases over an estimated *36-month construction period,* with the concession tenure to be determined through ongoing financial modelling.

The initiative will also complement plans to expand production capacity at *Adiyan Waterworks from 70 million gallons per day to 140 million gallons per day,* strengthening the upstream supply required to support the coastal transmission network.

Conceived as an end-to-end intervention covering water production, bulk transmission and last-mile distribution, the project has the potential to improve access to potable water for an estimated *1.5 to 3 million residents* across the targeted areas.

The technical presentation also highlighted the need to address non-revenue water and ageing infrastructure through improved metering, monitoring and network rehabilitation.

For the feasibility study to progress effectively, the meeting emphasised the timely provision of commercial demand data, GIS records, physical planning information and relevant legal clearances from concerned Lagos State agencies. It was agreed that appropriate correspondence would be routed through the Office of the Governor to facilitate the required inter-agency support.

The proposed intervention is expected to reduce dependence on groundwater, strengthen water security, support sustainable urban development and stimulate further economic and real estate investment along the rapidly developing coastal corridor.

Speaking at the meeting, the Managing Director, *Engr. Mukhtaar Tijani,* reaffirmed LWC’s commitment to working closely with its transaction partners to deliver sustainable solutions capable of transforming potable water supply across Lagos.

Both parties agreed to sustain the momentum of engagement, with the feasibility study and preliminary designs targeted for completion by *December 2026.*

The initiative builds on the *Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 9 July 2026 between the Lagos State Government, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and Naston Engineering,* providing a framework for the technical assessment, planning and development of strategic water infrastructure projects across the State.

The MoU was signed on behalf of the Lagos State Government by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, *Mr. Tokunbo Wahab,* and the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, *Engr. Mahamood O. Adegbite.* LWC was represented by its Managing Director, *Engr. Mukhtaar Temitope Tijani,* and the Executive Director, Operations, *Engr. (Mrs.) Helen Omolanke Taiwo.*

The advancement of this strategic project is a further demonstration of the *visionary leadership and unwavering commitment of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu,* to building a more resilient, sustainable and economically vibrant Lagos.

Governor Sanwo-Olu deserves commendation for his administration’s sustained focus on critical infrastructure development and its deliberate efforts to attract strategic partnerships and investments capable of addressing the State’s long-term water needs. His forward-looking approach to water security continues to provide the policy direction and enabling environment necessary for transformative initiatives of this magnitude.

Also worthy of commendation is the *Managing Director of Lagos Water Corporation, Engr. Mukhtaar Temitope Tijani,* whose purposeful leadership, professional foresight and relentless commitment to innovation have continued to drive the Corporation’s renewed transformation agenda.
Under Engr. Tijani’s stewardship, LWC has demonstrated a bold determination to explore innovative solutions, strengthen strategic partnerships and pursue sustainable infrastructure capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly growing Lagos. His hands-on approach and commitment to improving water production, transmission and distribution continue to reinforce the Corporation’s mandate of delivering quality and reliable potable water to residents.

The proposed subsea transmission project therefore stands as a significant testament to the *Sanwo-Olu Administration’s visionary water sector agenda and Engr. Tijani’s purposeful leadership at LWC.* It represents a bold step towards strengthening Lagos’ water security and advancing the State’s aspiration for a modern, resilient and sustainable water supply system.

With the continued support of the Lagos State Government, the strategic direction of the LWC Management and the commitment of its technical and transaction partners, the project holds significant promise of ushering in a *new era of improved water security and reliable potable water supply across Lagos’ coastal communities.*