SPECIAL REPORT: How Poverty Drives Open Defecation In South West, UNICEF Offers Solutions

Daud Olatunji

Nigeria is grappling with a critical health and economic crisis as open defecation continues to plague the nation, with an estimated $1.5 billion lost annually due to health issues, reduced productivity, and the far-reaching consequences of poor sanitation.

Stakeholders are urging a unified effort to combat this growing menace, which is both a symptom and a driver of poverty in many regions, especially in the Southwest.

PLATFORM TIMES reports that open defecation as a practice  is linked to widespread diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, and malnutrition, and remains prevalent in Nigeria, affecting an estimated 48 million people.

PLATFORM TIMES gathered that this crisis is  exacerbated by inadequate sanitation infrastructure and poor water quality, further straining the country’s healthcare system and economy.

Further findings showed that the economic loss attributed to open defecation is staggering, as the country continues to lose productivity and faces mounting medical bills due to preventable illnesses

In South-West Nigeria, which has six states ; Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo,Osun and Lagos, a troubling cycle exists where poverty and Open Defecation (OD) reinforce each other, creating a loop of socio-economic and public health challenges.

Open defecation not only contributes to poor sanitation, but its spread is directly linked to poverty, lack of infrastructure, and inadequate policy implementation.

While generally seen as one of the more developed regions of the country, South West still grapples with the issue of open defecation.

States such as Ekiti, Ondo, and Osun have notable rates of open defecation, despite government efforts to curb this practice.

According to UNICEF, over 46 million Nigerians still practise open defecation, with the South-West contributing a significant number to this figure.

“One of the major drivers of open defecation in South-West Nigeria is the pervasive poverty affecting many communities.

Poverty limits households’ ability to invest in sanitation facilities. In areas where families live on less than $1 a day, building or maintaining private toilets is not a priority when survival is at stake.

“Furthermore, public facilities are either unavailable, poorly maintained, or insufficient to meet the needs of the population.”

Data available revealed that as a result, individuals in poverty-stricken communities often resort to open defecation in bushes, rivers, or open spaces, exacerbating the spread of diseases such as cholera and typhoid.

The lack of clean water and sanitation leads to repeated illnesses, which in turn deepens poverty by increasing healthcare costs and reducing productivity.

… The Impact of Open Defecation on Poverty

Poor sanitation leads to contamination of water sources, which causes widespread health issues like diarrhea, malnutrition, and stunted growth in children.

According to UNICEF, the economic burden of poor sanitation in Nigeria costs the country over $3 billion annually.

This loss is primarily due to healthcare costs, loss of productivity, and environmental degradation.

In the South-West, where agriculture and small-scale industries are vital to local economies, water contamination caused by open defecation diminishes agricultural output and hinders industrial activities.

For instance, farmers who depend on rivers for irrigation face reduced yields when these water sources become polluted.

The inability to maintain healthy and clean environments leads to a continuous cycle where productivity suffers, incomes shrink, and families remain trapped in poverty.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), behaviour change campaigns in sanitation are underfunded, especially in regions struggling with high poverty rates.

Families may prioritise the limited water supply for drinking and cooking, leaving none for flushing toilets or cleaning sanitation facilities.

UNICEF’s roadmap for ending open defecation in Nigeria by 2025 emphasizes the need for public and private sector collaboration to build toilets and improve sewage systems in both rural and urban areas.

Poverty alleviation is critical to reducing open defecation. Empowerment programmes that provide vocational training and microloans can help lift families out of poverty, enabling them to afford sanitation facili

The persistent cycle of poverty and open defecation in Nigeria is a critical issue, with each fueling the other.

Chizoba Opara, National Coordinator of the Clean Nigeria Campaign, outlined an ambitious plan to eliminate open defecation by 2030 through improved sanitation systems across the country.

The expert said significant challenges, including a $9.2 billion annual funding gap and a massive infrastructure deficit, threaten progress.

The goal to construct 20 million toilets is a necessary step toward breaking this cycle, offering a pathway to both better health and economic improvement for millions.

She added that ending open defecation is not only a matter of sanitation but a crucial step in alleviating poverty.

At a recent event organised by the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with UNICEF, stakeholders renewed their commitment to eliminating open defecation by 2030, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Clean Nigeria Campaign, held in Lagos, emphasised the urgent need for both public and private sector collaboration to tackle the issue head-on.Limited Progress and the Economic Toll.

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Elizabeth Ugoh, Director of Water Quality, Sanitation, and Hygiene at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation (FMWRS), lamented the slow progress in addressing open defecation.

Out of 774 local governments in Nigeria, only 126 have achieved open defecation-free (ODF) status.

Ugoh stressed that increased investment, improved infrastructure, and stronger partnerships are vital to accelerating progress.

“This is not just a sanitation issue; it is an economic and health emergency,” she stated, calling for private sector involvement to bridge the existing gaps.

Ugoh’s statement was underscored by the massive economic losses, with research indicating that for every dollar spent on improving sanitation, there is a return of up to $5.50.

Despite this, inadequate infrastructure continues to perpetuate a cycle of poverty, leaving millions vulnerable to preventable diseases, especially in impoverished urban areas like Lagos.

Dr. Jane Bevan, UNICEF Nigeria’s Chief of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), highlighted that Nigeria’s status as one of the world’s worst offenders for open defecation is a dire reflection of both poverty and the lack of accessible sanitation.

“The government cannot solve this problem alone,” Bevan said, calling for a multi-faceted approach that includes significant private sector participation.

She urged businesses to invest in public toilets and sanitation facilities, particularly in densely populated urban centers where the issue is most severe.

Similarly, Céline Lafoucriere, Chief of the UNICEF Lagos Field Office, stressed the critical role of the private sector in addressing Nigeria’s sanitation crisis.

With an estimated 11 million toilets needed to serve the population, Lafoucriere described this gap as both an urgent challenge and a massive economic opportunity.

“This is a vital work we must tackle today. We need all hands on deck—government, development partners, and the private sector must collaborate if we are to achieve universal access to sanitation,” she said.

… Economic Benefits of Addressing Open Defecation

From a business perspective, Dr. Chinyere Almona, Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), noted that the economic impact of poor sanitation is not just about losses; it also presents a substantial investment opportunity.

Almona pointed out that every dollar invested in sanitation infrastructure yields a significant return, benefitting both the population and the economy.

She emphasised the need for targeted investments in sanitation, citing that Nigeria’s annual loss of $1.5 billion could be offset through concerted efforts and collaboration between the public and private sectors.

The event also saw the private sector pledging support, with Mr. Nyananso Ekanem, representing the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), committing to building public toilets and improving wastewater management.

“We are ready to work with the government and UNICEF to identify and act on investment opportunities in sanitation,” Ekanem said, adding that NESG will focus on practical solutions, including test projects to attract long-term private sector investment.

… Experts Call For Collective Effort To End Open Defecation In Nigeria

Open defecation continues to be a pressing issue in Nigeria, with nearly 25 percent of the population still practicing it in 2024.

Despite government efforts to curb this health and environmental challenge, progress has been slow, especially in rural areas lacking proper sanitation facilities.

Public health experts and environmentalists agree that while government and NGOs have roles to play, the fight against open defecation must also involve individuals.

Olusola Sokoya, an environmentalist, underscores the need for personal commitment in addressing open defecation.

“The government cannot do it all. It is the responsibility of every citizen to prioritize sanitation in their homes,” Sokoya stated.

He highlights practical steps citizens can take, including building and maintaining functional toilets in every household, encouraging regular hygiene education, and actively participating in local sanitation efforts.

Sokoya also called for stricter enforcement of sanitation laws, advocating for legal action against offenders to deter the practice.

Another expert, Akindele Akeem, emphasizes the role of infrastructure in solving the problem. He noted that the lack of public toilets in congested areas is a significant barrier.

“It’s hard to enforce laws when people don’t have the basic infrastructure needed to comply,” Akeem remarked.

He also advocates for the reintroduction of environmental health officers, known as “Wole Wole,” who would enforce sanitation laws and educate communities on proper hygiene practices.

Akeem believes that parents must also enforce handwashing and hygiene habits at home, as these practices are essential in combating open defecation.

The government’s role in combating open defecation cannot be overstated. Jane Bevan, Chief of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) at UNICEF Nigeria, emphasized the need for collaboration between the government, private sector, and individuals.

Speaking at a Private Sector Consultation on Open Defecation Free Nigeria, Bevan highlighted the substantial investment required to build the 11 million toilets needed to eliminate open defecation.
“Currently, only 126 local government areas are open defecation-free, and significant progress is still needed,” she noted.

The financial requirements for addressing this issue are staggering. Bello Goronyo, Minister of State for Water Resources, revealed that an estimated $10 billion is required annually to fund Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services in Nigeria.

Goronyo pointed out that private-sector collaboration is essential to bridge the sanitation infrastructure gap, as government resources alone are insufficient.

Nyamanso Ekanem, Thematic Lead for WASH at the National Economic Summit Group (NESG), highlighted the economic benefits of improved sanitation. “Sanitation and good hygiene boost productivity across the entire organizational value chain,” he said.

He also commended UNICEF’s initiative to unite government and private-sector stakeholders, urging the government to structure investment laws that support the sanitation sector.

As Nigeria works towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.2, which focuses on access to adequate sanitation, experts agree that the responsibility for ending open defecation lies with every Nigerian.

The slogan,”The ball is in your court,” serves as a reminder that individual actions—whether building a toilet, practicing proper hygiene, or holding communities accountable—are critical in the fight to eliminate open defecation.

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