Daud Olatunji
In the heart of Oyo State, two communities ; Araromi Aperin and Alagbaa are rewriting Nigeria’s sanitation story. Once plagued by open defecation, these settlements under Ona-Ara Local Government Area have emerged as models of community-driven transformation, proving that leadership, awareness, and collective action can turn public health nightmares into success stories.
Open defecation remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing public health challenges.
The 2023 WASH National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASHNORM) report revealed that over 46 million Nigerians still defecate in the open, placing the country among the worst in the world on this metric. .
As of now, only Jigawa and Katsina States have been declared open defecation-free (ODF).
Yet, Araromi Aperin, a quiet settlement on Oyo State’s outskirts, and Alagbaa, a 350-year-old community in Akanran, have defied the odds.
PLATFORM TIMES joined over 60 journalists to witness firsthand how these communities transformed under the stewardship of their traditional rulers, with technical support from UNICEF and the state government.
… Alagbaa: A Community’s Determined Battle
Alagbaa, made up of seven smaller villages — Moyo, Idisango, Aba Oro, Kuye, Idi Ogun, Amosun Agbele, and Eleni has waged a determined campaign against open defecation. The Baale (village head), Chief Muili Abidemi, installed in August 2023, led the charge.
“The whole community was engulfed in open defecation. Cholera and other diseases were rampant,” Chief Abidemi told PLATFORM TIMES. “When RUWASA officials and UNICEF came for training, I realised that every household must have a toilet. I facilitated soft loans to help families construct toilets. If I allow open defecation, it will trigger disease.”
He recounted how new residents initially struggled with the rules. “A new person came into the village without a toilet. I told them I wouldn’t allow anyone to defecate in the open. They quickly constructed one, and today our village is free from cholera and malaria.”
The Baale described the community’s system of enforcement: “The fine is N1,500 to warn households, then N2,000 if they delay. Repeat defaulters face task force intervention.
“ I personally helped about six households with loans to build toilets. Schools here have toilets, and boreholes provide water. Our population is growing, so we need more water points, especially in Moyo, Idi-Sango, Agbele, and other villages.”
Through these measures, Chief Abidemi reports that 99 percent of homes in Alagbaa now have toilets, and the community has become a model for other settlements still practicing open defecation.
Mrs. Iyabode Olasupo, a resident, praised the initiative: “Life is better when your environment is clean. We thank UNICEF, sanitation officers, and all those who helped. Our children are healthier, and the community is safer.”
… Araromi Aperin: Leadership Meets Commitment
Araromi Aperin tells a similar story of transformation. The community’s Royal Highness, Oba Mudadhiru Musa Obisesan, known as the Alararo, led residents in embracing sanitation reforms.
“Before, people didn’t understand why open defecation was dangerous,” said Mr. Jimoh Adetona, Deputy WASH Coordinator, Ona-Ara LGA. “Now they know it brings sickness, and everyone is happy to have their own toilet.”
Initially, only the palace had about 22 toilets. But the Oba issued a royal directive mandating every household to construct one, encouraging residents through soft loans and government-subsidised low-budget toilets costing N65,000, payable in smaller instalments.
Mrs. Taiwo Adebisi, a mother of four in Araromi Aperin, said: “Having a toilet at home means safety and pride. Our daughters no longer go into the bush, and we no longer fear for their health or dignity. It has changed our lives.”
The impact on children has been profound. At the Islamic Mission School, Mrs. Omolara Oyelude noted: “Before, children often fell ill or missed classes. Since we got toilets, enrolment jumped from 40 to 80 pupils. Girls, especially, no longer stay home during their periods.”
… Nigeria’s Sanitation Struggle
Despite these success stories, Nigeria still has a long way to go. Out of 774 local government areas, only about 140 have achieved ODF status. Rapid urbanisation has compounded the challenge: as of 2023, 54.3 percent of Nigerians live in urban areas, yet only 25.4 percent have access to safely managed sanitation. Over 150 million people still lack basic sanitation services.
Monday Johnson, UNICEF WASH Specialist, Lagos, explained: “Urban sanitation is our next big crisis. Rural areas are improving, but cities are falling behind.
WASH is central to children’s health and survival because diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid are linked to poor sanitation. Children are more susceptible because their immune systems are not fully developed.”
Johnson emphasised that achieving ODF status requires structured processes: community claims, local government verification, state-level checks, and national validation. “Without funding and dedicated personnel, progress will remain slow,” he warned.
…. Bridging the Gaps
While Oyo State has made strides, challenges persist. Only eight of 351 wards are certified ODF, and just three percent of excreta is safely captured and treated.
Funding shortfalls and weak institutional coordination hinder progress, yet analysts estimate that Oyo State alone has a N75 billion sanitation economy potential if market-based solutions are developed.
“Sanitation can be both sustainable and profitable,” Johnson said. “With incentives, private investment can create jobs and boost local economies. CWIS (Citywide Inclusive Sanitation) ensures safe waste management for everyone, promotes gender equity, public health, and environmental sustainability.”
… Marching Toward a Clean Future
Araromi Aperin and Alagbaa show that community-led sanitation works. With traditional leadership, public health awareness, and targeted support, change is possible — one household toilet at a time.
As World Toilet Day approaches on November 19, UNICEF and partners remind Nigerians: sanitation is not just infrastructure, but dignity, equity, and the future of every child.
Mrs. Taiwo Adebisi summed it up: “For us women, having a toilet at home means safety, health, and pride. It has changed our lives.”
Indeed, in Oyo State, the journey continues — one household, one borehole, one toilet at a time.
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