United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday reiterated the urgent need to address open defecation, describing it as a critical challenge affecting health, education, nutrition, and poverty alleviation outcomes in Nigeria.
 
UNICEF said all stakeholders needed to take collective action to tackle open defecation and improve sanitation facilities in Oyo State.
 
 Joli Ann Maulit, WASH Manager at UNICEF’s Lagos Field Office, stated this in commemoration of the 2024 World Toilet Day.
 
The World Toilet Day serves as a reminder of the urgent need to prioritise sanitation as part of efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6.2 by 2030.
 
Ann Maulit said this year’s theme, “A Place for Peace,” underscores the importance of ensuring safe and dignified sanitation for all. She revealed that approximately 48 million Nigerians still practice open defecation, a situation worsened by the lack of climate-resilient sanitation facilities.

 “Sanitation facilities that are not climate-resilient break down quickly and are not rehabilitated on time, forcing people to resort to open defecation,” she said.
 
In Oyo State, the problem is particularly pronounced, with over 4.3 million people engaging in open defecation. Statistics provided by UNICEF show that only 10 percent of the state’s population has access to safely managed sanitation while over 90 percent of health facilities and schools lack full water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Maulit noted that markets and motor parks are also largely without adequate WASH infrastructure.
 
The Head of Service in Oyo State, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, also highlighted the state government’s commitment to tackling open defecation through targeted policies and collaborations.

She acknowledged the successes achieved in six council wards in Ona Ara and two in Egbeda local government areas, which have been certified Open Defecation-Free (ODF) this year. However, she admitted that much work remains.

“Five council wards in Ona Ara, nine in Egbeda, and 11 in Ibarapa East are yet to be certified, and three local government areas are yet to begin implementing the Oyo State ODF roadmap,” she said.
 
UNICEF called for increased efforts and investment to accelerate the ODF drive across the remaining 30 LGAs in Oyo State.

The organisation also emphasised the need for private-sector partnerships, youth mobilisation, and social campaigns to promote hygiene and behavioral change.
 
Maulit called for a united effort to ensure every community in Oyo State has access to clean water and dignified sanitation. 

“Together, we can envision a future where every child and family enjoys their right to clean water and safe sanitation, which are core to good health and overall well-being,” she said.