Olamide Francis
There was a more pressing issue at COP29 last week, hence my decision to shelf this article for today. I even contemplated whether it’s still a necessary topic for this week’s edition of my column. You already know the answer because you’re reading this. It is an undeniable fact that Nigeria still has a sanitation problem, and I wouldn’t miss the opportunity of this year’s World Toilet Day, although it has since passed, to amplify this gigantic social problem.
This year’s World Toilet Day was observed last week Tuesday and celebrated under the theme “Toilets: A Place for Peace, Protection, and Progress.” It is quite a fascinating theme because it appears to be drawing global attention to an essential but often overlooked issue – the urgent need for safe and accessible sanitation. For my country, Nigeria, where sanitation challenges remain critical, the stakes are particularly high. As one of the nations with the highest prevalence of open defecation worldwide, tackling this issue is not only a matter of public health but also a pathway to achieving dignity, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as of 2023, around 48 million Nigerians (approximately 23% of our population) still lack access to safe toilets. The organisation’s 2021 Water Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASHNORM) report highlights that 48 million Nigerians engage in open defecation. In addition, only 10 per cent of Nigerians have access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services, and just eight per cent practise proper handwashing with soap and water. If you doubt this, I can take you to various locations in Lagos and Ogun states where this is an everyday reality.
That’s not all with the statistics. The WASHNORM report also revealed regional disparities in the prevalence of open defecation among household members: 53.9 per cent in North Central, 28.0 per cent in the Southwest, and 10.3 per cent in the Northwest. In another separate report published in September, UNICEF emphasised that nearly 2,000 children under the age of five die daily in low- and middle-income countries due to illnesses linked to air pollution, further underlining the urgent need for improved sanitation and hygiene practices.
The consequences of open defecation are far-reaching. Contaminated water sources and poor sanitation contribute significantly to waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea, which account for high rates of child mortality in Nigeria. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 1,000 children under five die daily from illnesses linked to unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene. This should be a rallying point to address the sanitation crisis in Nigeria. The lack of adequate toilets not only threatens public health but also perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality, especially among the most vulnerable.
Beyond the immediate health implications, inadequate sanitation has devastating social and economic effects. Poor sanitation costs Nigeria 455 billion Naira each year, equivalent to US$3 billion, according to The World Bank. This sum is the equivalent of US$20 per person in Nigeria per year or 1.3 percent of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). These losses stem from increased healthcare costs, reduced productivity, and premature deaths. Furthermore, women and girls face disproportionate challenges due to unsafe sanitation. Many women across Nigeria, especially up North, still lack access to private toilets and are exposed to harassment and violence when forced to relieve themselves in the open. In schools, the absence of sanitation facilities often leads to girls dropping out once they reach puberty, as they struggle to manage menstruation in a safe and dignified manner. This compounds gender inequality and denies the country the full potential of an educated female population.
Although the Nigerian government has taken steps to address this pressing issue, there is still so much to be done. In 2019, the federal government launched the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign, aiming to eliminate open defecation by 2025. This initiative has made strides in raising awareness and fostering community participation. Urban areas, in particular, have seen improvements, but rural communities still lag. Insufficient funding, inadequate monitoring mechanisms, and a lack of localised solutions continue to hinder progress. The disparities between urban and rural regions highlight the need for targeted interventions that prioritise the most vulnerable populations. Without any targeted intervention efforts, the solutions that work in Lagos may not be effective in Kaduna. A one-size-fits-all strategy cannot work in this case.
To accelerate progress, Nigeria can draw inspiration from successful international efforts. India’s Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission) offers a compelling example of how a coordinated approach can drive significant change. Between 2014 and 2019, India constructed over 100 million household toilets and declared itself open-defecation-free. Strong political will, substantial investment, and active community engagement drove this achievement. Adopting similar strategies in Nigeria, including public-private partnerships and culturally tailored education campaigns, could yield transformative results.
Climate change further complicates Nigeria’s sanitation challenges. Increasingly frequent and severe weather events, such as flooding, exacerbate the spread of waterborne diseases by damaging existing infrastructure. Nigeria must, therefore, prioritise climate-resilient sanitation solutions. These could include flood-resistant facilities, eco-friendly wastewater treatment systems, and technologies that enable safe reuse of wastewater. Investments in these areas would not only enhance public health but also contribute to environmental sustainability. That’s why I mentioned previously that we still have a long way to go.
Sanitation is not merely a public health issue; it also represents a significant economic opportunity. According to the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, every $1 invested in disaster-resilient sanitation infrastructure saves $4 in reconstruction costs. For Nigeria, the economic case for sanitation is clear. Improving facilities would alleviate healthcare burdens, boost productivity, and foster healthier communities. Moreover, achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.2, which calls for equitable sanitation for all, would transform the lives of millions of Nigerians, particularly in rural areas.
Addressing the sanitation crisis requires collaboration across sectors. Public-private partnerships can mobilise the resources needed for large-scale projects, while international organisations such as UNICEF, WHO, and the World Bank can provide technical expertise and funding. At the national level, fostering accountability and transparency is essential to ensure that resources are used effectively and that initiatives achieve measurable outcomes.
World Toilet Day 2024 is a powerful reminder of the urgency of this issue. Toilets are far more than infrastructure; they symbolise peace, protection, and progress. For Nigeria, solving the sanitation crisis is not only a public health necessity but also a moral imperative. By prioritising investments, engaging communities, and adopting sustainable solutions, we can transform our sanitation landscape and lead all Nigerians toward a healthier and more dignified future.
The time for action is now. On this year’s World Toilet Day, the Nigerian Government must renew its commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian has access to safe and dignified sanitation. No one should be left behind in this journey toward a cleaner, healthier, and more equitable nation.
Olamide is a communications professional currently based in London, United Kingdom. He can be reached across social media platforms @olamidefrancis and via francisolamide1@gmail.com
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Kind Regards,
Olamide Francis
