The United Nations Children’s Fund has raised alarm about a looming health crisis in Nigeria, as 200 million people are at risk of contracting 17 Neglected Tropical Diseases.
The organization highlighted open defecation as a key factor driving these diseases.
At a media dialogue in Lagos, UNICEF’s Chief of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, Jane Bevan, emphasized that NTDs like schistosomiasis, trachoma, and intestinal worms are preventable.
She explained that open defecation, poor hygiene, and lack of clean water make millions of Nigerians vulnerable to these diseases. “Unless we all practice safe sanitation and hygiene, there is a risk that we will all get more NTDs,” she warned.
According to the WASH National Routine Mapping, 47 million people in Nigeria still practice open defecation, and only 18 percent of the population has access to safely managed sanitation services. Ebonyi State has the highest rate of open defecation, followed by Plateau State, while Zamfara State has the lowest rate.
Bevan stressed the importance of handwashing, calling it “perhaps the most affordable immunization that all Nigerians, including children, can receive that will actually assist to save lives and avoid some of these diseases.” She added, “We have been able to achieve 126 open defecation-free Local Government Areas in the country and we are working hard to ensure more LGAs achieve open defecation-free status.”
UNICEF and its partners are intensifying efforts to end open defecation by 2030. These efforts include building sanitation facilities, implementing hygiene education programs, and engaging communities to promote behavioral changes. Bevan highlighted that ending open defecation is crucial for reversing the trend of NTDs and that simple practices like handwashing can effectively prevent these diseases.
UNICEF WASH Specialist Monday Johnson echoed these concerns, noting that “Nigeria has the highest NTD burden in Africa and open defecation remains a significant contributor to the spread.” He listed some of the NTDs, such as onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, trachoma, lymphatic filariasis, and soil-transmitted helminthiasis, which are transmitted through contaminated soil and feces. “By addressing open defecation, we can significantly reduce the transmission of NTDs. Improved sanitation and hygiene practices can break the cycle of infection, protecting vulnerable populations, especially children and women,” he said.
Johnson also linked NTDs to poverty, stating that “NTDs are a proxy for poverty which prevails among vulnerable and marginalized populations. NTDs and poor access to WASH contribute to a vicious cycle of poverty and disease. NTDs can lead to catastrophic health expenditure and reduced economy.”
The National Coordinator of the Clean Nigeria Campaign, Mrs. Chizoma Opara, acknowledged the challenges in achieving open defecation-free status by 2030, including infrastructure deficits, funding gaps, and weak policies. She emphasized the need for increased investment in sanitation facilities and stronger government commitment. Despite these challenges, Opara expressed optimism, stating that the campaign has the potential to achieve its goals of eliminating open defecation, improving sanitation coverage, and implementing effective fecal sludge management systems.
UNICEF’s communication officer, Blessing Ejiofor, urged the media to raise awareness about the dangers of open defecation and the need to end this practice, stressing that addressing sanitation is crucial for achieving broader health goals in Nigeria.
