Nigeria will require over 20 million toilet facilities to combat the alarming issue of open defecation, which remains prevalent among 48 million Nigerians.
Deputy Director of the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mrs Chizoma Opara, gave the indication during a media dialogue organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with Oyo State Rural Water Supply Agency.
Mrs Opara, speaking at the 2-day meeting to increase awareness on the need for ending open defecation and eliminating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Nigeria on Thursday in Lagos, stated this is important for Nigeria to, on course, attain an open defecation-free status
She declared that ensuring every Nigerian uses a toilet for defecation is still a challenge to end open defecation in Nigeria, aside from the huge funding gaps and the low political prioritisation required by Nigeria to attain open defecation-free status.
According to her, only 37 million Nigerians, representing 18 per cent 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. According to the 2021 Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASHNORM) report, 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 added.
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, however, declared 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 prioritise washing hands.
The media plays a crucial role in driving this change,” Bevan emphasised, 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 maximise 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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