Nov. 19, 2024

The United Nations Educational Fund (UNICEF) says that more than 95 million Nigerians lack access to sanitation services.

Dr Olusoji Akinleye, Coordinator and Officer in Charge (OIC) UNICEF, Field Office, Enugu, said this on Tuesday, in Enugu at a media dialogue to mark the “2024 World Toilet Day” with the theme: “Toilets; a place for peace.”

The day is held every Nov. 19, by the United Nations Observance since 2013.

Akinleye said that the sanitation situation in Nigeria needed more government interventions.

According to him, today 48 million Nigerians practice open defecation, 18 million children inclusive; 95 million without access to basic sanitation services.

“Also, 70 per cent of schools without access to basic sanitation services (~91,000 schools); 88 per cent of health facilities without access to basic sanitation (~27,600 health facilities).”

The OIC further decried that 80 per cent of markets and motor parks without access to basic sanitation.
He blamed insufficient funds for continued Open Defecation (ODF) in Nigeria.

“Only 17 per cent (134 out of 774) LGAs has achieved ODF, with nine per cent of successes in UNICEF-supported states.

“Federal commitment declined since 2023, resulting in stalled ODF initiatives, ” he said.

He said that the annual funding needed for ODF was approximately ₦168.75 billion, adding that only ₦15 billion was invested from 2018 to 2022.

In the same vein, A Wash Specialist in UNICEF, Enugu Office, Mrs Rebecca Gabriel, said it was possible for all the states in Nigeria to achieve ODF before 2030 SDGs.

She called on governments to provide more funds for eradication of ODF.

“Toilets should be built in Schools, and other public places to reduce ODF.

“Everyone must be involved including government and public spirited individuals; so we can achieve zero ODF in every state of Nigeria, ” she said. (NAN)