Researchers from the University of Leeds are helping to strengthen sanitation systems across sub‑Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems are responsible for preventable deaths, especially among mothers, young children and infants.
The University is a core partner in WASH Systems for Health, a major international partnership focused on learning, evidence and long‑term sector reform, which supports countries to build reliable, resilient and inclusive systems that sustain water and sanitation services.
The programme’s research and learning agenda is led by the University of Leeds, working alongside governments and development organisations to understand how WASH systems are strengthened, sustained and shared across countries.
Universities have an important role to play in supporting governments and development partners.
Recently, the Leeds team contributed to a series of learning events in Nigeria linked to the Clean Nigeria campaign, the government’s flagship effort to eliminate open defecation and expand safe sanitation.
Alongside a National Sanitation Conference held in Abuja, the University of Leeds co-hosted a technical forum to reflect on monitoring, evaluation and learning approaches. This brought together government partners and development agencies such as UNICEF and the World Bank with WASH Systems for Health teams from multiple countries.
These learning exchanges form part of a wider effort to help countries adapt successful strategies, respond to evidence and strengthen the governance and finance systems underpinning essential water and sanitation services.
Dr Paul Hutchings, Associate Professor in Water, Sanitation and Health in the School of Civil Engineering, said: “Universities have an important role to play in supporting governments and development partners by helping generate evidence on what works, facilitating shared learning and brokering honest conversations about challenges.
“We do this in partnership, recognising the expertise and leadership that already exists within countries.
“These collaborations also enrich our own teaching and research, encouraging us to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of water and sanitation systems here in the UK.”
Collaboration is key
Ebele Okeke, WASH Ambassador for the Government of Nigeria, said: “This forum underscores the urgent necessity to master the mechanism of change, ensuring our collective efforts are strategically aligned and measurable to accelerate progress.’’
Dr Jane Baven, Chief of WASH, UNICEF Nigeria, added: “I think collaboration is absolutely key to make sure all the WASH sector’s outputs are put together for monitoring and evaluation.”
Earlier this year, the University of Leeds supported a similar WASH Systems for Health learning event in Nepal, with further engagements planned in Malawi and Tanzania in 2026.
WASH Systems for Health is a five‑year, FCDO‑funded programme involving IRC, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), WaterAid Bangladesh, SNV Nepal, SNV Tanzania, Water for People Malawi, GOAL Sierra Leone and Self Help Africa Nigeria.
Further information
Please contact Richard Abbott in the University of Leeds press office at R.Abbott1@leeds.ac.uk.