The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling sanitation challenges, including ending open defecation across the country.
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, highlighted this commitment as part of the activities organized to commemorate World Toilet Day on November 19, 2024, in Kano. Engr. Bahijjahtu Abubakar, Director of the Pollution Control and Environmental Health Department, issued the statement on behalf of the Minister. The United Nations has designated November 19 each year as World Toilet Day.
The Minister emphasized that World Toilet Day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the critical importance of sanitation for human health and the sustainability of the planet. The theme for the 2024 celebration, “Toilets: A Place for Peace,” underscores that sanitation is a fundamental aspect of human dignity and global security. The national slogan for this year, “Use the toilet and have peace,” reinforces the message of peace and well-being linked to proper sanitation.
He reiterated that achieving “Safe toilets for all by 2030” is a key target under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6. Toilets are often overlooked, yet they are essential for protecting human health, safety, and dignity. The Minister expressed concern that the absence or malfunction of toilet systems results in the spread of untreated human waste, leading to deadly diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
Balarabe highlighted the severe consequences of open defecation, which pollutes ecosystems and threatens biodiversity. He cited alarming statistics, including 1.6 million annual deaths from diarrheal diseases and the impact on 50% of global malnutrition cases, as well as the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
He also mentioned that the President’s declaration of a state of emergency on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in 2019, alongside the signing of Executive Order No. 009, aimed at making Nigeria open defecation free by 2025, underscores the government’s resolve to enhance sanitation efforts.
The Federal Ministry of Environment, in partnership with key stakeholders, has reviewed and updated the 2005 National Environmental Sanitation Policy and its guidelines on safe excreta and sewage disposal.
Balarabe called for community-based initiatives to support open defecation control programs and the Ministry’s Clean and Green Programme, which focuses on promoting the availability of safe and adequate toilets, particularly in public areas, and ensuring effective excreta management to eliminate open defecation by 2025.
Engr. Bahijjahtu Abubakar outlined the planned events to mark World Toilet Day 2024, which include:
a) Advocacy, sensitization, and sanitary inspections in public places in Kano State (e.g., markets, motor parks). b) Community outreach and sensitization campaigns. c) Engagement with children and youth through social media platforms. d) A road walk to raise awareness for World Toilet Day 2024 in Kano State.
Mrs. Rita Okea, Deputy Director in the Department, will represent Engr. Bahijjahtu Abubakar at these events to ensure full implementation of the activities.
