Nigeria needs 11.6m toilets – FG

The Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has said Nigeria needs an additional 11.6 million toilets to meet its 2030 Open Defecation Free (ODF) target.

Utsev, speaking with newsmen on Friday in Abuja, noted that achieving ODF status involved more than building toilets.

He said while huge progress had been made, ensuring access to and proper use of the facilities remained a crucial challenge.

“The challenge is not only the number of toilets available but also raising awareness and encouraging their consistent use.

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“This is why we are elevating the campaign to a higher level. The vice president will lead the relaunch of our strategy in a more impactful way,” he said.

Utsev, however, admitted funding challenges, saying that while the initiative required an annual budget of N10 billion, only N5 billion had been released so far.

He said development partners like UNICEF had made significant contributions by providing toilet facilities, training and awareness campaigns.

“Our partners do not provide funds directly but support through the supply of toilets and training programmes, their efforts have been invaluable in driving this campaign forward,” he said.

He said since the launch of the campaign in 2019, 135 LGAs and over 30,000 communities had achieved ODF status, with more areas undergoing verification.

According to him, despite these achievements, the road to universal sanitation remains long, especially in underserved and vulnerable communities.

“Ending open defecation is about more than toilets, it’s about improving health, boosting productivity, and enhancing the dignity and safety of our citizens,” the minister emphasised.

The event was part of activities marking the 2024 World Toilet Day with the theme ‘Sanitation for Peace,’ which underscores the significance of toilets as symbols of safety, dignity and development.