Inside Perspective on Nigeria's Battle to End Open Defecation by 2025

Ekemini Edet

January 17, 2024.

As someone involved in Nigeria’s sanitation sector, I have an insider’s view into our commitment to eliminate open defecation by 2025. We have achieved notable successes, but monumental challenges remain that put this bold target in jeopardy.

Our wins cannot be discounted. The Clean Nigeria; Use the Toilet Campaign by the Federal Government focused strongly on cultural shifts alongside infrastructure. The National Open Defecation Free Roadmap provides sound government-level strategic direction. At the grassroots, Community-Led Total Sanitation Initiatives actively mobilize citizens to construct and utilize latrines. States like Cross River, Bauchi and Jigawa have already attained open defecation free status at the Local Government levels- proof that progress is possible.

However, these scattered successes fail to paint an accurate national picture. Rapid urban migration and population growth continue to overwhelm infrastructure in cities. Deeply ingrained cultural beliefs still promote defecating openly in some rural areas. As a developing economy, Nigeria struggles to prioritize sanitation spending amidst competing needs. Global supply volatility has also dealt us a heavy blow by causing wild swings in equipment costs that paralyze projects.

These challenges are not new, but the urgency of addressing them to meet 2025 targets has reached unprecedented levels. We need large-scale infrastructure projects providing toilet access across urban and rural zones. Cultural attitudes must be tackled through intensive localized campaigns that view open defecation as unacceptable. Policymakers have to walk the talk by backing commitments with budget allocations.

The road to success remains filled with obstacles, but I believe an open defecation free future is achievable if we accelerate coordinated efforts between communities, government and partners. Our foundation is strong – we just need to channel our resources towards scaled implementation. With robust initiatives already underway, I am hopeful we can transform the 2025 target from ambition to reality.