Here’s a shocking fact: Nigeria is losing a staggering N455 billion ($3 billion) every year due to poor sanitation. But here’s where it gets even more alarming—open defecation, a persistent issue, continues to threaten public health, contaminate water sources, and fuel the spread of preventable diseases like cholera and diarrhea. With the 2030 deadline to end this crisis looming, Vice President Kashim Shettima sounded the alarm during the inaugural National Sanitation Conference in Abuja, organized by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation under the theme, “Accelerating Sanitation for All.” Represented by Inna Binta Audu, Special Adviser to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Development Partners, Shettima emphasized that sanitation is far more than just toilets or infrastructure—it’s about human dignity, health, productivity, and securing a brighter future for Nigeria’s children. “A clean Nigeria is a healthy, prosperous, and equitable Nigeria,” he declared.
And this is the part most people miss: Poor sanitation isn’t just a health issue; it’s an economic drain. According to the World Bank, the annual cost of N455 billion undermines national productivity and tarnishes Nigeria’s global image. Despite recent progress, including 158 Local Government Areas (LGAs) achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status—with Katsina and Jigawa leading as ODF states—Shettima stressed the need for more coordinated efforts across federal, state, and local levels. He highlighted key government initiatives like the State of Emergency and National Action Plan for the Revitalization of the Sector, the Partnership for Expanded Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH), SchoolWASH, HealthWASH, and the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) program. The Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign, backed by a Presidential Executive Order, is another bold step forward.
Here’s the controversial part: While these efforts are commendable, the sanitation sector’s economic potential remains largely untapped. By 2030, the menstrual hygiene marketplace alone is projected to reach $1.8 billion, with the broader sanitation economy hitting $14.23 billion. This includes the toilet economy ($9.9 billion), circular sanitation economy ($2.5 billion), and smart sanitation economy ($25 million). Shettima urged scaling up innovative financing, expanding the sanitation value chain, and encouraging private sector participation. But is Nigeria doing enough to capitalize on this opportunity? Or are we leaving billions on the table while millions lack access to basic sanitation?
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, echoed Shettima’s sentiments, calling sanitation the “cornerstone of human development.” The two-day conference, he noted, serves as a platform for dialogue, innovation, and partnerships to accelerate progress. Officials like FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Head of Civil Service Didi Walson-Jack, and WASH Ambassador Engr. Ebele Okeke pledged continued support, emphasizing the need to prioritize vulnerable groups, especially women and children.
Here’s the ultimate question: Can Nigeria truly achieve its ambitious goal of providing safe, dignified, and sustainable sanitation for all by 2030? If successful, the rewards are clear: reduced disease, unlocked economic opportunities, environmental protection, and a nation where no one is left behind. But what will it take to get there? Is it more funding, stricter policies, or a shift in public mindset? Let’s discuss—what do you think is the biggest hurdle, and how can we overcome it together?