Nasarawa State governor, Governor Abdullahi Sule, has commissioned a solar-powered borehole built by the Society for Family Health, SFH, in Tudun Adabu, Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State as part of joint efforts by government and development partners to tackle water scarcity and water-borne diseases in rural communities.
Sule, represented by the Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Mustapha Agah Muluku, described the project as ‘another significant milestone’ in the state’s drive to expand access to clean, safe and sustainable water.
He noted that the facility will reduce the burden on women and children, especially the girl child, who often trek long distances for water, while also improving hygiene and community well-being.
The governor said the government has maintained a ‘productive and impactful partnership’ with SFH under the WASH project for over four years, covering selected schools, communities and health facilities in four LGAs.
He added that the collaboration aligns with the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy, NEDS, which prioritises equitable access to potable water.
Speaking on behalf of SFH Group Managing Director, Dr Omokhudu Idogho, a representative, Abdulsamad Salihu, said the commissioning was ‘more than just the unveiling of a physical infrastructure’ and represented ‘hope, dignity, and improved quality of life’ for residents who had long struggled with unreliable water access.
WASH project Director, Jane Adizue, explained that the WASH for Healthy Lives project, funded by Procter and Gamble, began in 2022 with behavior change communication on safe water, hygiene and sanitation in high-risk communities identified by the state.
After three years of sensitisation across several LGAs, SFH sought infrastructure support in 2025. ‘Beyond just telling people how to maintain hygiene and keep their water safe, we saw that there were needs in communities where there was no source of water,’ Adizue stated.
Funding was then approved for boreholes in six Nasarawa locations. The commissioning train has covered Toto LGA and will move to Nasarawa and Karu LGAs. The same project runs in Edo State.
Adizue said ownership ‘is actually with the state’ and urged maintenance so the structure will still stand in years to come. The SFH representative added that ‘sustainable water supply systems require not only infrastructure but also strong governance, community engagement, and long-term planning.’
Speaking on behalf of the community, a community leader Alanana Ibrahim said residents had long struggled without a reliable water source.