Over 45 million Nigerians still practice open defecation — FG

By Folarin Kehinde, Abuja

The Federal Government has revealed that over 45 million Nigerians still practice open defecation, underscoring slow progress in sanitation as the country marks World Toilet Day 2025.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, highlighted the sanitation crisis as one of the most pressing public health challenges confronting humanity. Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Kambari, Lawal noted that this year’s theme, “We’ll Always Need the Toilet,” reflects the growing impacts of climate change, rapid urbanization, and widening inequalities that weaken sanitation systems.

“Toilets are not mere conveniences but lifelines that protect public health, uphold human dignity, and safeguard the environment,” Lawal said. “Unfortunately, toilets and the systems that support them remain underfunded, poorly managed, and neglected. Globally, about 4.2 billion people live without access to safe toilets, while in Nigeria, over 45 million still practice open defecation.”

He warned that the lack of functional toilets in schools, markets, health facilities, and public institutions exposes communities to life-threatening diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea, particularly among children under five.

Lawal also highlighted the emergence of a growing toilet economy and urged private investors to explore opportunities in sanitation infrastructure. He stressed that with collective action, innovation, and political will, Nigeria can end open defecation and provide safe, clean, and dignified sanitation for all.

Access to toilets, he added, is a fundamental human right and crucial to building a healthier and more prosperous nation. Lawal called on state and local governments to prioritize sanitation enforcement, while urging communities and households to adopt safe waste disposal practices. He also tasked the media with enhancing public awareness on proper sanitation.

The Minister disclosed that World Toilet Day events were being observed simultaneously across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), featuring activities such as sanitation drives, advocacy visits, and commissioning of public toilets.

The Executive Secretary of the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), Dr. Yakubu Baba, emphasized the urgent need for inclusive action on sanitation. He warned that inadequate access to safe toilets remains a major challenge amid climate change, population growth, urbanization, and social inequality.

“Toilets are more than ordinary facilities; they are essential markers of public health, human dignity, and social progress,” Baba said. “Lack of safe sanitation continues to be a leading cause of diarrheal diseases, responsible for approximately one billion deaths daily among children under five.”

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