Exploring Faith-based Economic Model (Zakat) for Ensuring Sustainability of Clean Water Provision and Sanitation in Nigeria: A Lesson from Indonesia

This study aims to propose an Islamic model that can be used with the conventional approach of alleviating water shortage in Nigeria. This study therefore explores the causes and problems related to water accessibility while highlighting the relevance of zakat in achieving sustainability of water and clean sanitation in Nigeria. The study adopts qualitative research method by using secondary data, which is generated through reviewing relevant literatures, case studies, working papers and reports. The study found that in its effort to reduce water scarcity and improve the well-being of people through proper sanitation, BAZNAS, an institution in Indonesia, justifies the use of Zakat funds in providing clean water and sanitation. By making reference to the viability of using Zakat fund in promoting the accessibility and sustainability of clean water and sanitation in Indonesia, the paper findings justify the relevance of using the approach in Nigeria. The paper is limited to reviewed literature and hence, further research should be carried out on empirical research to validate the use of Zakat in promoting the sustainability of water and clean sanitation in Nigeria. The study is of practical importance as it aims at reducing health issues and poverty while upgrading the quality of people’s life through improving the accessibility of clean water and sanitation. To this end, this paper contributes to the existing literature of Zakat.