The Federal Government has reaffirmed its strong support for state-led initiatives to improve Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services, as part of the national effort to make Nigeria Open Defecation Free (ODF) by 2030.
This commitment was visibly demonstrated in Kano State, where 20 of the 26 Local Government Areas (LGAs) that had achieved ODF status were officially presented with ODF certificates. The event coincided with the North-West Zonal Review Meeting of the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet campaign and was held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano.
Delivering the Minister’s message, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, represented the Honourable Minister, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE. He praised the Kano State Government for its leadership and commitment, which has placed the state among the best-performing in Nigeria’s sanitation drive.
According to a press release signed by Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, Director of Information and Public Relations, the Minister also highlighted several national achievements of the Clean Nigeria Campaign. These include the reconstitution of the Steering Committee, the launch of a revised strategy (2025–2030), the declaration of 148 LGAs nationwide as ODF, the development of a real-time monitoring portal, and continued high-level advocacy with religious and traditional leaders.
Prof. Utsev assured that, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Government would continue to provide technical and financial backing to sub-national governments to meet the 2030 target. He called for increased budgetary allocations to WASH, stronger community ownership, and behavioural change through effective communication.
He further emphasized the importance of traditional institutions and the use of Local Government WASH Units and WASHCOMs in sustaining ODF gains at the grassroots level.
“Kano State’s achievement—26 LGAs now ODF is proof of what strategic collaboration and community-driven action can accomplish,” the Minister noted.
The Minister also recognized the critical contributions of development partners including UNICEF, WaterAid, Self Help Africa, SATO, and NEWSAN, whose support has been instrumental in accelerating progress.
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Speaking on behalf of the Executive Governor, Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Gwarzo celebrated the progress made, announcing that 26 out of 44 LGAs in the state have now been certified ODF. He warned that open defecation remains a major public health threat and commended stakeholders for embracing the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach.
The event concluded with the formal presentation of ODF certificates to the successful LGAs and the conferment of the ODF Great Achievers Award on the Governor of Kano State in recognition of the state’s exemplary performance.
