Nigeria’s sanitation challenges remain severe, with more than 45 million people still practicing open defecation, according to Environment Minister Balarabe Lawal. He disclosed this figure at a press briefing in Abuja marking World Toilet Day 2025, themed “Sanitation in a Changing World.” Lawal noted that only about 25 percent of the population has access to safely managed sanitation facilities, underscoring the urgent need for action to address the crisis.
The United Nations General Assembly designated November 19 as World Toilet Day to raise awareness and inspire action against the global sanitation emergency that affects billions. The observance supports Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure clean water and sanitation for all. Lawal emphasized that access to toilets is a cornerstone of public health, protecting both people and the environment. Yet, in many regions, sanitation systems are underfunded, poorly managed, or neglected. Globally, roughly 4.2 billion people lack safe toilets; in Nigeria, inadequate sanitation contributes to cholera, diarrhoea, typhoid and intestinal worm infections, diseases that claim many lives, especially among children under five. Poor sanitation also fuels antimicrobial resistance and hampers Nigeria’s progress toward SDG 6.2, which seeks universal, equitable sanitation and hygiene by 2030.
The federal government has pledged to achieve an Open Defecation Free Nigeria by 2030. This commitment is reflected in the Presidential Declaration of a State of Emergency on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and the pending Executive Order No. 009. The ministry, together with stakeholders, has revised the 2005 National Environmental Sanitation Policy, adding guidelines for safe excreta and sewage disposal. The Nigerian Red Cross Society highlighted urgent challenges such as climate stress, insufficient funding, overcrowded urban areas and cultural barriers, and is advancing solutions through the National Strategic Plan of Action on Cholera Control to improve sanitation and hygiene nationwide.
According to the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Nigeria loses about $3 billion each year due to poor sanitation, illustrating the need for greater investment in sanitation infrastructure. The commemoration of World Toilet Day serves as a reminder that sanitation is a human right and that collective action is essential to resolve the crisis. As Nigeria strives for Open Defecation Free status by 2030, prioritising sanitation and hygiene will ensure that all citizens have access to safely managed facilities and promote a healthier environment for future generations.
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