The Lagos International Water Conference (LIWAC), is adjudged as the largest gathering of Water and Sanitation Stakeholders in the last 4 years in Nigeria. It has therefore put Lagos on the global map of leading conversations targeted towards achieving the SDG target 6 for clean water and Sanitation through exchange of transformational and innovative ideas towards finding lasting solutions to water supply and sanitation challenges, especially in a megacity such as Lagos.
LIWAC is an initiative of Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission to be mobilize awareness, initiative and accountability in the water and waste water sector in Lagos State. It is also a conscious attempt at synergizing with the T.H.E.M.E.S+ agenda of the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s administration especially under the Health and Environment pillar. The conference in the last four years has played host to over 1,500 participants both local and international critical stakeholders.
All the previous editions with themes”..has been an eye opener to challenging issues of water supply and sanitation services in Nigeria and Lagos in particular. Today, the conference has attracted the much desired attention to the WASH sector in Lagos state thus gradually assuming its place of relevance and influence.
As a result of this, development partners such as WaterAid, USAID have taken giant strides in supporting access to improved governance and institutional framework, water supply and sanitation services with a view to improving WASH service delivery in Lagos State.
The theme of this year’s conference “Accelerating Sanitation & Hygiene in A Megacity: Regulation & Innovation 2023, the 4th edition of the conference, therefore presents a unique opportunity to sector stakeholders, practitioners, development partners and private investors to bring to having a clear understanding of the challenges affecting sustainable access to safely managed sanitation and hygiene services in Lagos state and discuss financing opportunities, regulation, innovation and the role of technology as possible solutions to changing the narrative.
It is equally important to mention that the Yr2022 World Toilet Summit held in Abuja, Nigeria estimates about $26Million is locked in the sanitation economy of Nigeria with a huge percentage vested in Lagos State. If Lagos sanitation Value Chain is maximized with effective faecal sludge management, the market value will serve as a good attraction for entrepreneurs, banks and the government to invest in and equitably and fairly regulate the sanitation market.
Overall Aim of the Conference.
The overall aim of the conference is to facilitate dialogue and sharing of knowledge on improving access to safely managed sanitation and hygiene towards using robust regulatory mechanisms towards the achievement of the SDG 6 in Lagos state and environs.
Specific Objectives:
•To underscore the importance of regulation in facilitating access to safely managed sanitation and hygiene services.
•To share knowledge on innovative practices from different contexts on improving access to sanitation and hygiene services in Mega cities.
•To discuss and agree a roadmap towards strengthening regulatory mechanisms in Lagos state for improved sanitation and hygiene services.
•To engage and galvanize support from regional organizations, governments, financial institutions, local businesses and other groups to pursue opportunities for Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) in Lagos State. 
Funke Adepoju (Mrs.).
Executive Secretary,
Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, LASWARCO
