By Abdullahi Lukman
Save the Children International has raised alarm over poor access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in Nigeria, revealing that about 70 per cent of children in the country lack access to basic WASH facilities.
The organisation made the disclosure in Abuja on Tuesday while commemorating the 2026 Day of the African Child, themed “Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child in Africa.”
According to Save the Children, millions of children across Nigeria continue to live without reliable access to clean water, safe sanitation facilities and proper hygiene services, exposing them to preventable diseases and undermining their health, education and overall development.
The organisation stated that more than 161 million Nigerians depend on contaminated water sources, while only six per cent of healthcare facilities nationwide have access to basic WASH services.
It also noted that over 10 million schoolchildren lack adequate sanitation facilities in their schools.
Save the Children warned that poor WASH conditions remain a major contributor to diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid, adding that diarrhoeal illnesses claim the lives of more than 70,000 Nigerian children under the age of five every year.
The organisation further observed that inadequate sanitation facilities in schools negatively affect learning outcomes, particularly for girls who are often forced to miss classes due to the absence of appropriate hygiene facilities.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Country Director of Save the Children International, Jane Mbagi Mutua, called for renewed commitment from governments, development partners and communities to ensure universal access to safe and sustainable WASH services.
She said the theme of this year’s Day of the African Child highlights the urgent need for coordinated action to guarantee that every child, regardless of location or background, can access clean water, sanitation and hygiene services.
Mutua noted that the situation is especially severe in rural and underserved communities where families frequently rely on unsafe water sources and lack improved sanitation infrastructure.
The organisation also disclosed that approximately 22 per cent of Nigerians still practise open defecation, a situation that increases the risk of disease outbreaks and environmental pollution.
Save the Children urged the government to increase investment in WASH programmes and accelerate the implementation of policies aimed at improving access to water and sanitation services nationwide.
It also called on development partners to prioritise sustainable investments in the sector while encouraging communities and private-sector actors to support efforts to expand WASH infrastructure and services.
Also speaking, the House Leader of the Katsina State Children’s Parliament, Muhammad Aminu, stressed the importance of ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for every child across Africa.
He described access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene as a fundamental right and an essential investment in children’s health, education, dignity and future development.
Save the Children maintained that achieving universal access to WASH services remains critical to protecting children’s rights and advancing sustainable development, urging all stakeholders to take urgent action to address existing gaps.
