Nigeria Makes Progress in Addressing Open Defecation.

In an occasion commemorating the 2023 World Toilet Day which coincidentally falls on the fourth anniversary of the clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev underscored the significance of the day for socio-economic development.

Prof. Utsev said there was the urgent need to address open defecation as it has costs Nigeria over four hundred billion naira annually, stressing the importance to achieving access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene by 2030.

The Minister said “Nigeria is at risk of not achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target for sanitation and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all by 2030.”

Utsev said all hands must be on deck to tackle WASH Sector challenges.

He reiterated the Nigerian Government’s commitment to the WASH sector, citing initiatives such as the National Action Plan for Revitalization, Partnership for Expanded WASH program, and the ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’ Campaign among others and also emphasized the sanitation economy potentials in Nigeria.

In line with the 2023 World Toilet Day theme, ‘Accelerating Change,’ the Minister emphasized the need for resilient and sustainable solutions across the sanitation value chain and noted that the recent United Nations 2023 Water Conference produced the Water Action Agenda, outlining commitments to accelerate progress in meeting SDG targets.

He further disclosed that under President Tinubu’s Administration, the Ministry “focuses on maximizing social and economic impact in the WASH sector.”

Prof. Utsev called for continued collaboration, partnerships, and high-level commitment from State Governments and all stakeholders in the WASH Sector to ensure the success of the Campaign to end Open Defecation in Nigeria, emphasizing that joint efforts are crucial in achieving SDG Goal 6 and fostering a healthy and economically vibrant nation.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack acknowledged and appreciated the development partners, stakeholders, and the press for their valuable presence at 2023 the World Toilet Day commemoration.

She remarked that the commitment of these development partners has played a crucial role in advancing initiatives and projects aimed at improving sanitation facilities, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6.2.

Open Defecation presentations by secondary schools, awards of gift items, and a symposium were parts of the highlights of the ceremony.

Water Resources Minister Prof. Utsev and some dignitaries during the occasion marking World Toilet day in Abuja.