By Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government has showcased its commitment to providing safe, reliable, and sustainable water supply at the 2026 World Water Summit in Singapore, highlighting key reforms and ongoing projects under Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration.
A high-powered delegation led by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Aminu Abdullahi (Iyan Sokoto), represented the state at the global event.
Other members of the delegation included the General Manager of the Sokoto State Water Board, Engr. Aminu Haruna Mika’ilu, and the Director of Dams and Reservoirs, Engr. Shehu Suleman.
The summit brought together policymakers, development partners, and water sector experts from across the world to discuss innovative solutions to global water challenges.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Hon. Abdullahi said Governor Ahmed Aliyu remains committed to ensuring that residents of Sokoto State have access to clean and sustainable water supply.
“Governor Ahmed Aliyu is determined that Sokoto people will enjoy clean, reliable and sustainable water.
This summit provided us with an opportunity to learn global best practices in water treatment, conservation and infrastructure management that can be adapted to improve our water sector,” he said.
According to Engr. Mika’ilu, the delegation examined modern innovations in solar-powered water schemes, smart metering technology, and strategies for reducing non-revenue water, which have significantly improved water supply systems in cities such as Singapore and Amsterdam.
Engr. Suleman noted that discussions on dam safety, reservoir management and climate-resilient infrastructure would support ongoing and future projects across the state, particularly within the Rima River Basin.
The participation comes as the Aliyu administration continues work on major water projects, including the Greater Sokoto Water Supply Scheme, rehabilitation of water treatment plants in Wamakko and Kware, and the installation of solar-powered boreholes across the state’s 23 local government areas.
Government officials expressed optimism that lessons learned and partnerships initiated at the summit would help accelerate project delivery, improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.
Civil society organisations have also commended the state’s engagement at the international forum, describing it as a step toward strengthening accountability, innovation and service delivery in the water sector.
Residents of communities such as Runjin Sambo and Gidan Dare, where water supply has improved in recent months, expressed hope that the new partnerships and technical cooperation arrangements would bring lasting solutions to water challenges.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu has consistently identified water supply as a key component of his 9-Point Smart Agenda, reiterating his administration’s determination to ensure that every community in the state has access to potable water.
With new international connections established at the Singapore summit, the state government says attention will now shift to implementing pilot projects and formalising technical cooperation agreements with development partners aimed at transforming Sokoto’s water sector.