Over 95 million Nigerians lack sanitation services, according to UNICEF. 48 million practice open defecation, while 70% of schools and 88% of health facilities lack basic sanitation. The government’s declining commitment to sanitation funding hampers progress, with a ₦168.75 billion annual need to tackle the crisis.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that more than 95 million Nigerians are without access to sanitation services. This alarming statistic was highlighted during a media dialogue held on November 19, 2024, in Enugu, marking the observance of "World Toilet Day." Olusoji Akinleye, UNICEF’s coordinator in Enugu, addressed the pressing issue, stating that open defecation remains a major problem, with 48 million Nigerians practicing it, including 18 million children.
Akinleye also pointed out that a staggering 70% of schools in the country lack basic sanitation facilities, affecting over 91,000 schools. Furthermore, nearly 88% of health facilities—around 27,600 institutions—also lack proper sanitation. This inadequate infrastructure extends to markets and motor parks, with 80% of these public spaces also lacking essential sanitation services.
Akinleye attributed the persistence of open defecation to a severe funding gap, with the annual requirement for eliminating open defecation estimated at ₦168.75 billion. However, only ₦15 billion was allocated for sanitation initiatives between 2018 and 2022. He also noted that just 17% of Nigeria’s local government areas have achieved open defecation-free status, with UNICEF-supported states achieving a mere 9% success rate.
The UNICEF official further criticized the federal government for its declining commitment to sanitation programs since 2023, leading to stalled efforts in addressing this public health crisis. The organization called for increased funding and stronger governmental action to tackle the sanitation challenges facing the country.
