Ikechukwu Silas Nzeakor is a distinguished water and sanitation specialist, bringing over 25 years of practical expertise and academic excellence to the sector. He holds a Master’s degree in Water and Sanitation Utilities Management from AgroParisTech, France, complemented by international training in Singapore and Cambodia. These programmes, featuring in-depth case studies on the Public Utilities Board (PUB) of Singapore and the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority, have equipped him with an advanced understanding of global best practices in utility management and reform.

His academic credentials also include an M.Sc. and a Postgraduate Diploma in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology from Abia State University. Silas has further enhanced his professional capacity through specialised certifications from leading institutions such as ESSEC Business School and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore.

Silas has an extensive track record of collaboration with State Water Supply Agencies (SWAs) in Nigeria, where he has demonstrated exceptional skill in evaluating and optimising organisational structures, leading restructuring initiatives, executing manpower planning, and developing comprehensive capacity-building programmes. His deep knowledge encompasses Public-Private Partnership (PPP) development, performance contract formulation and implementation, water treatment and distribution, quality assurance, commercial operations, non-revenue water reduction, and customer service improvement.

Among his notable achievements, Silas served as Project Manager for Ortech Nigeria Limited’s World Bank-supported contract with the Kaduna State Water Board, where he oversaw the operation and maintenance of five urban water treatment plants delivering potable water to over two million residents. He also led Ortech’s pioneering PPP engagement with the Cross River State Water Board, driving network expansion, commercial advancements, and the delivery of targeted staff training in non-revenue water reduction strategies.

Currently, Silas holds key leadership roles as the National Key Expert for Non-Revenue Water Reduction on the AFD-funded Plateau State Urban Water Supply Reform Project and as Key Expert for Performance Contracting on the AFD-funded Kano State Urban Water Supply Reform Project. His visionary leadership has been instrumental in advancing sustainable reforms, fostering innovation, and strengthening regulatory frameworks to enhance urban water supply and sanitation services across Nigeria.