..as private sector, others unite to improve sanitation

The Chief of WASH at UNICEF, Jane Bevan has disclosed that there are 126 free open defecation Local Governments Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria, saying an estimated 11 million toilets need to be built to address the challenges posed by open defecation in the country.

She disclosed this at a private sector consultation organised by UNICEF and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources for the Clean Nigeria Campaign, which was held in Lagos on Tuesday.

The two-day event which was held from September 10 – 11, is aimed to revitalize and expand private sector participation in the drive to eliminate open defecation and move towards safely managed sanitation services in the country.

Open defecation refers to the practice of defecating in fields, forests, bushes, bodies of water, or other open spaces. Defecating in the open is an affront to dignity and risk to children’s nutrition and to community health.

Statistics show that 48 million people live without access to toilets in Nigeria. What this means is that 23 per cent of the total population still practice open defecation despite the 2025 deadline to end open defecation while 159 million Nigerians are without washing hand facilities.

Bevan also said that “it is estimated that there are 48 million people without access to toilets in Nigeria and that means a whole lot of health issues.” “The government can’t do it alone. Certainly, agencies like UNICEF can’t do it alone. But together, we can make a big difference” she stated. “And that’s an awful lot of money that could be made in building those 11 million toilets.

And then those pits need to be emptied. There’s a whole revolving business around this that really can generate funds,” she said. She added that the private sector can also assist by providing financing to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in the sanitation industry. This could include businesses that provide waste management services, construct public toilets, or supply sanitation products.

She further added that UNICEF has already begun experimenting with such financing models in Bauchi State, where they are working with the state government to offer revolving loans to small sanitation businesses. On her part, the Chief of the UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere urged the private sector to play a more significant role in addressing Nigeria’s sanitation crisis.

According to her, this workshop is happening in Lagos, “where for months we have been battling against the cholera outbreak. So we can all see the urgency behind what we are here to talk about today and what we are here to make a reality for the future of our children and our population.” She added, “UNICEF has developed an acceleration plan for ODF in consultation with the Clean Nigeria campaign.”

There are 48 million people without access to toilets

The representative of Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) and Thematic Lead for Water, Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH), Nyamanso Gabriel Ekanem said that the Nigerian government, UNICEF, and the private sector are joining forces to find sustainable solutions to end open defecation with a view to improve sanitation across the country.

Traditionally, many companies have engaged with sanitation issues through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, such as building toilets in public spaces or sponsoring sanitation campaigns.

However, the conversation has now shifted from one-time CSR projects to sustainable investment models that can generate revenue while addressing the sanitation crisis.

According to Ekanem, the private sector could help build and maintain sanitation facilities by creating a sustainable business model where users pay a small fee for access. This would ensure that the facilities are maintained and upgraded over time, providing long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes.

“Maintenance culture can only happen sustainably when there is regular funding. When the government builds assets and there is no resource for maintenance, it will not be functional. That’s where the private sector comes in. You must pay something for us to consistently maintain and provide the right services,” he explained.

The Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Elizabeth Ugoh stressed the importance of engaging local governments in this process. “Local governments are responsible for public facilities in terms of sanitation; so we have to engage them to ensure they have the right regulations and clear policy direction that sanitation can attract investment,” she said.