Nigeria’s target to end open defecation by 2025 may remain a mirage as the 2021, UNICEF WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) National Outcome Routine Mapping on Nigeria’s sanitation status showed that 48 million Nigerians still defecate in the open while 95 million have no access to basic sanitation services.

The WASH report also revealed that about 1.3 per cent of GDP or N455 billion is lost annually due to poor access to sanitation, healthcare savings and productivity.

According to WASHNORM report, States with the highest open defecation rate are;

1.Ebonyi 73%
2. Plateau 56%,
3. Kogi 56%,
4. Oyo 54%,
5. Kwara 50%,
6. Kebbi 50%,
7. Enugu 48%,
8. Niger 46%
9. Nassarawa 46%,
10.Benue 45%,
11. and Bayelsa 45%.

The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH, Jane Bevan, said the current toilet construction in Nigeria of between 180,000 and 200,000 toilets annually is inadequate.

Cost of Open Defecation
The WASH Specialist further stated that open defecation spreads disease quickly and can lead to death.

He explained that the health impact of open defecation is that it can cause stunting, wasting and malnutrition in children. Studies have shown that more than 100,000 children under 5 years of age die each year due to diarrhoea and other water Sanitation and hygiene-related diseases. It can also lead to loss of dignity, privacy and security as people can be attacked in the process of going to the bush to defecate.

What states need to do urgently
To get Nigeria back on track, UNICEF WASH Specialist, Mr Monday Johnson explained that States need to create a Sanitation Pool fund with state government funds with a minimum of N50m.

He said there was also the need to mobilise SMEs to construct and operate sanitation facilities in public places, markets, expressways and transport hubs. “States need to engage private companies operating in the states for support for ODF acceleration.

“States should roll out Sanitation Marketing and Financing; identify and engage Celebrities.

And dignitaries who will epitomise the ODF Campaign in all public events, work with the media- Each state radio station should be engaged in sample jingles from CNC, promote intersectoral collaborations- all Education, Health, Nutrition and WASH agencies may have monthly/quarterly steering meeting, and support LGA-wide Sanitation Interventions.

Ibrahimcoomasie:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/10/open-defecation-doubts-over-nigerias-attainment-of-2025-target-experts/amp/

KwuoteYourFada:


30% of oyo State is bigger than all of SE combined

Enugurangers:

That's why a rate was used.
Stats 101: 3 out of 4 is greater than 2 out of 10.

Osoboshi:
Open defecation in Enugu ,nahhh,the should check their statistics again

shortIGBOman:
Enugu
Abia
Anambra
Are supposed to top list. Whenever I visit Enugu, Abia or Anambra, I always use face Mask to reduce the stench as a result of open defecation in those Areas.

Ozommadu:


Dey play

Oyo hold the medal for open defecation...I can even smell the stench from far away onitsha. Tufiakwa

shortIGBOman:


You never visit Anambra, Enugu and Abia. I am telling you cause I know these States like the back of my hand.

Ozommadu:


You know Anambra like the back of your hand but I'm telling you I can perceive the stench from oyo poo poo here in onitsha.

It must be terrible

Osoboshi:
Open defecation in Enugu ,nahhh,the should check their statistics again