This report provides an analysis of the problems facing public provision of water in Lagos, Nigeria, highlighting the problems of privatization and public-private partnerships. Key findings from the report include:

• Improving public water systems is both possible and preferable.
• Public financing, rather than private investment, provides a better deal for the people and the government of cities like Lagos.
• Collaboration between public providers provides better solutions than privatized, competition-based systems.
• Strengthening public water systems is good for democratic governance.

Lagos. water system can become a world-class model for other cities to follow. The report makes recommendations for improving public provision, which constitute a plan for a well-functioning, democratically governed water system in Lagos and beyond.