The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the organised private sector, is working towards eliminating open defecation across Nigeria by improving access to safe and sustainable sanitation services nationwide.
Chizoma Opara, Deputy Director of the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, describes the initiative as a transformational behavioural movement with the potential to make Nigeria open defecation-free.
To achieve this goal, greater engagement from the private sector is essential, as it plays a pivotal role in advancing sanitation efforts across the country.
According to WASHNORM 2021 data, only 18% of Nigerians, or about 37 million people, have access to safely managed sanitation services.
During a recent media dialogue organised by UNICEF in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and private sector stakeholders, UNICEF’s Chief of WASH, Jane Bevan, highlighted that the government cannot achieve this alone. Collective action is required to drive meaningful progress.
One of the key objectives of the campaign is to establish strong public-private partnerships that can expedite Nigeria’s journey toward becoming ODF. While the private sector has a vital role in creating and maintaining affordable sanitation facilities, businesses are also encouraged to explore innovative solutions, especially in underserved areas.
Dali Otunla, Senior Director of Investor Relations and Sustainability, acknowledged that private sector organisations are not solely profit-driven, as they dedicate part of their revenue to support public initiatives. However, he emphasised that the public sector must establish the appropriate frameworks to enable effective collaboration.
Despite some progress in sanitation, the number of Nigerians practicing open defecation has slightly risen, from 46 million in 2019 to 48 million in 2021. Currently, only 126 local government areas in Nigeria are open defecation-free, which is inadequate given the country’s growing population.
The Clean Nigeria Campaign aims to unite businesses, government agencies, and civil society to promote lasting, sustainable improvements in sanitation practices and services nationwide.