…Says Over 3.5m Nigerian Children Suffer Diarrhoea Annually
As Nigeria marks the 2025 National Environmental Sanitation Day, the Federal Government has called on state governments to reinstate the suspended monthly environmental sanitation exercises, warning that poor hygiene remains a major driver of preventable diseases and deaths across the country.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, made this appeal on Friday in Abuja during a media briefing ahead of this year’s sanitation day, themed: “Safe Sanitation and Hygiene for Disease Prevention.”
Represented by the Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health in the Ministry, Engr. Dr. Bahijjahtu Abubakar, the Minister warned that poor sanitation continues to cause illness and death, particularly among children under five, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups.
According to Lawal, more than 3.5 million Nigerian children suffer from diarrhoea annually due to inadequate sanitation and hygiene, with many succumbing to the preventable disease.
“A large number of children die every year due to sanitation and hygiene-related diseases. These illnesses also have huge economic consequences, from lost productivity to high medical costs and reduced economic opportunities,” he said.
He stressed that poor sanitation does not only affect health but also degrades the environment, polluting water sources, soil, and air—thereby compounding Nigeria’s environmental challenges.
“Sanitation is a fundamental human right. Yet, many communities still lack access to basic sanitation facilities. This places them at a high risk of waterborne diseases, undermining their dignity, well-being, and survival,” Lawal added.
The National Environmental Sanitation Day, observed every 28th of June, aims to raise awareness on the importance of environmental cleanliness.
However, several states have abandoned the once-compulsory monthly sanitation exercise that helped foster communal responsibility and reduce disease burden.
Lawal urged governors to bring back the monthly clean-up campaigns as part of broader efforts to safeguard public health and promote sustainable environmental practices.
He also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to improving sanitation and hygiene nationwide, noting that it continues to work with stakeholders to deliver on its mandate and improve public health outcomes across communities.
“This year’s theme goes beyond routine awareness. It calls for safe and effective management of sanitation facilities to ensure long-term protection against diseases,” he noted.
The call comes amid growing concern over the rise in communicable diseases linked to poor sanitation in rural and urban communities.
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