By Abdullahi Lukman
Nigeria and development partners have reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating universal access to safe sanitation at the maiden National Sanitation Conference in Abuja.
The two-day event, themed “Accelerating Sanitation for All,” convened government officials, development agencies, civil society, academia and private-sector stakeholders to advance collaboration in the WASH sector.
Opening the conference, Vice President Kashim Shettima—represented by presidential aide Inna Binta Audu—described sanitation as a top national public-health and development priority, stressing its links to dignity, productivity and environmental sustainability.
He called for stronger partnerships, innovative financing and private-sector involvement, noting that Nigeria’s sanitation and menstrual-hygiene market could reach $14.23 billion by 2030.
“The time for collective acceleration is now,” he said.
Water Resources and Sanitation Minister Joseph Terlumun Utsev said the gathering marked a milestone toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 and expanding safe sanitation nationwide.
He urged stakeholders to build on initiatives such as the Clean Nigeria Campaign while scaling up investments and evidence-based solutions.
Education Minister Olatunji Alausa, represented by Maliafia Danlami Hassana, reaffirmed that safe sanitation is a fundamental human right and called for bold national action.
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, represented by Hussein Abdulkadiri, announced enforcement of a bylaw requiring all six area councils to attain open-defecation-free status by 2026.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, represented by Mahmud Kambari, pledged continued reforms to improve workplace hygiene and support national sanitation priorities.
The conference runs through 18 November with plenaries, technical sessions and a sanitation exhibition showcasing innovations and technologies for improved service delivery.
