FG, States, Development Partners Unite to End Open Defecation in Nigeria

The Federal and State Governments, in collaboration with development partners, have reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating efforts to end open defecation and enhance Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services across Nigeria.

At the 3rd National Retreat on ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign’, held in Abuja on Wednesday, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, emphasized the campaign’s critical role in achieving a cleaner, healthier Nigeria. Launched in 2019 under Presidential Executive Order 009, the initiative aims to eliminate open defecation through improved hygiene practices and expanded WASH access.

Prof. Utsev highlighted the administration’s unwavering commitment, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government had reinaugurated the campaign’s Steering Committee in July 2024, under the leadership of Vice President Kashim Shettima, and introduced the Revised Implementation Strategy (2025–2030). This updated roadmap addresses key bottlenecks, fosters innovation, strengthens private-sector involvement, and enhances collaboration among stakeholders.

Underscoring the need for urgent action, the Minister revealed that as of January 2025, 142 Local Government Areas across 20 states had been declared open defecation-free (ODF). However, he urged state governments to intensify efforts by committing financial and human resources to achieve the campaign’s ambitious targets.

Commending states that have made progress, he encouraged lagging states to learn from their counterparts and implement key strategies discussed at the retreat. He called for collective action from state and local governments, as well as development partners, to meet Nigeria’s 2030 open defecation-free goal.

Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Moses Jo-Madugu, Director of Reform Coordination, emphasized the economic and environmental benefits of proper water resource management.

In her goodwill message, Mrs. Imna Audu, Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian and Development Partners, expressed concern that Jigawa remains the only ODF state in Nigeria, urging stronger collaboration to change the narrative.

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Other goodwill messages came from UNICEF Chief of WASH, Dr. Jane Bevan, as well as representatives from NEWSAN, YouthWASH, the Federal Ministry of Environment, and State Water Resources Commissioners.

The National Coordinator of the Clean Nigeria Campaign, Mrs. Chizoma Opara, provided an overview of the campaign, while Mrs. Elizabeth Ugoh, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, delivered the vote of thanks.

Key Highlights of the Event:

Unveiling of National WASH IEC Materials to enhance public awareness

Rebranding of the SURWASH Logo, reinforcing government commitment to sustainable WASH interventions

With renewed dedication from all stakeholders, Nigeria continues its push toward a cleaner, healthier, and open defecation-free future by 2030.

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