The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, revealed that over 45 million Nigerians still practice open defecation, while only about 25 % of the population have access to safely-managed sanitation facilities.
Speaking in Abuja on World Toilet Day, themed “Sanitation in a Changing World”, Lawal warned that poor sanitation is worsened by urbanisation, climate change and neglected infrastructure.
He noted that globally 4.2 billion people lack safe toilets. In Nigeria many schools, clinics and public institutions remain without functional sanitation.
Unsafe disposal of waste is linked to outbreaks of cholera, typhoid and intestinal worm infections — especially among children under five.
He said sanitation gaps also fuel antimicrobial resistance and jeopardise Nigeria’s progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6.2 (adequate sanitation for all by 2030).
The minister cited the 2019 Executive Order for an Open Defecation-Free Nigeria by 2025, saying the target will need revision.
The updated 2005 National Environmental Sanitation Policy is being rolled out, with emphasis on safe disposal, hygiene education and infrastructure investment.
The Nigerian Red Cross Secretary-General, Abubakar Kende, emphasised sanitation as a human right and called for greater funding and awareness.
With budgets tight and millions still marginalised, the minister’s message is clear: if sanitation fails, the public health crisis will worsen.
