Daud Olatunji
The Federal Government has revealed that Nigeria requires over 20 million toilet facilities to combat the alarming issue of open defecation, which remains prevalent among 48 million Nigerians.
This was disclosed by Mrs. Chizoma Opara, Deputy Director of the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, during a media dialogue organized by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with Oyo State Rural Water Supply Agency.
The event, aimed at raising awareness on ending open defecation and eliminating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), was held in Lagos.
Opara, while presenting an overview of Nigeria’s sanitation landscape, emphasized the critical need for improved sanitation infrastructure.
She noted that only 37 million Nigerians, representing 18 percent of the population, currently have access to safely managed sanitation services. She further stated that just 126 out of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas have been declared open defecation free.
“Nigeria needs over 20 million toilets to end open defecation in the country,”
Citing data from the 2021 Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASHNORM) report, Opara stated, “Open defecation is a sanitation and hygiene-related issue that affects about 48 million people in Nigeria.
“This practice significantly contributes to the spread of neglected tropical diseases such as onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, trachoma, lymphatic filariasis, and soil-transmitted helminthiasis.”
Opara stressed that improving sanitation and hygiene practices can help break the cycle of poverty, malnutrition, and disease transmission, which disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, especially women and children.
“By addressing open defecation, we can significantly reduce the transmission of NTDs. Improved sanitation and hygiene practices can break the cycle of infection, protecting vulnerable populations, especially children and women,” she noted.
She called for greater collaboration between government, civil society, and international agencies to tackle the issue, stressing the importance of collective action to create a healthier and more prosperous future for Nigerians.
The Deputy Director further hinted that enforcement of anti-open defecation laws would only begin once adequate facilities are in place.
In a panel discussion at the event, Jane Bevan, Chief of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) at UNICEF Nigeria, urged stakeholders to strengthen their commitment to eradicating open defecation, highlighting the crucial role of political will.
“We all need political will to tackle open defecation. We must make it real, and prioritize washing hands.
The media plays a crucial role in driving this change,” Bevan emphasized, calling for increased public awareness and advocacy.
Alhaji Babalola Afobaje, Chairman of Oyo State Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), commended UNICEF and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for their support towards improving sanitation in rural areas.
He pledged that the agency would maximize the opportunities provided by the WASH project, but also called for increased funding to sustain efforts in ending open defecation.
Afobaje further lauded the state’s efforts, noting, “The support we receive is creating a level playing field to ensure that rural dwellers embrace proper hygiene practices. However, there is a need for more funding to scale up these efforts.”
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