Supporting Sustainable WASH Solutions in Nigeria: My Summer With the Optimal Greening Foundation

This summer, as part of my INSEAD MBA I had the opportunity to work with the Optimal Greening Foundation (OGF), a non-profit organisation in Nigeria dedicated to addressing critical Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) issues in underserved communities.

My role was to help OGF expand its WASH initiatives from a successful pilot project in Agala, Lagos, to the larger communities of Eginrin and Isiwu in Ikorodu. I focused on creating a solid framework for capacity building, designing community engagement strategies, and developing recommendations for sustainable revenue generation.

Understanding the challenges in Ikorodu

One of my first tasks was understanding Eginrin and Isiwu's unique challenges. With populations of 5,000 and 12,000, respectively, these communities presented both a challenge and an opportunity to apply the lessons learned from the pilot project in Agala.

Building capacity for lasting change

I worked on developing a capacity-building framework to equip local WASH committees with the necessary skills to manage and maintain the facilities effectively. Part of this involved designing community engagement strategies to build trust and ensure sustainable operations.

Much of the work involved Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods. This approach will enable us to involve the community in the planning and decision-making processes, ensuring that the solutions are technically sound and culturally appropriate.

Planning for financial sustainability

Another key aspect of my work was to explore financial models that could secure the long-term sustainability of these WASH services. We explored different schemes—such as tiered pricing, deferred payments, and subscription services—each tailored to the economic realities of the communities. Through this analysis, we identified opportunities to generate an additional $30K annually, which would help sustain ongoing and future WASH projects.

Reflecting on the experience

This internship wasn't just about applying what I've learned but about confronting real-world challenges in some of Nigeria's most underserved areas and finding practical, impactful solutions. The experience deepened my commitment to working in the impact sector and provided valuable insights into Nigeria's water, sanitation, and hygiene sectors' complexities.   

As I wrap up my time with OGF, I'm grateful to INSEAD and the Optimal Greening Foundation for the chance to contribute to such meaningful work. The lessons learned and the relationships built will undoubtedly influence my future work, whether in WASH or other social impact areas.

This internship experience was supported by the INSEAD Hoffmann Institute Impact Internship Stipend and gifts from alumni.