The World Health Organization has warned that 1.4 million people die every year due to poor access to safe toilets, clean water, and proper hygiene.
In a statement released on Wednesday to mark World Toilet Day, WHO said 3.4 billion people worldwide still live without a safe toilet. It said diarrhoeal diseases account for over two-thirds of deaths caused by poor water, sanitation, and hygiene, with around 1,000 children under five dying every day from preventable illnesses linked to unsafe toilets.
“Safe sanitation is fundamental to human health and dignity. In every community, a toilet protects people from disease, safeguards our environment, and underpins social and economic development,” the statement said.
WHO also highlighted that climate change is making the sanitation crisis worse. Floods and droughts can damage sanitation systems, contaminate water sources, and disrupt access, putting the most vulnerable at the highest risk.
In Nigeria, open defecation remains a major challenge, with about 46 to 48 million Nigerians still practicing it, according to WHO and UNICEF. New data shows that 18 per cent of Nigerians defecate in the open, putting communities at high risk of cholera, diarrhoea, typhoid, and other deadly diseases. Children under five are particularly vulnerable, with unsafe sanitation contributing to malnutrition and stunted growth.
The federal and state governments have taken steps to address the crisis. Last year, the Ministry of Water Resources launched the National Sanitation Action Plan to increase access to toilets, particularly in rural communities. States like Lagos and Kaduna have implemented community-led initiatives, encouraging families to build home toilets and educating residents about hygiene. Despite these efforts, experts say enforcement remains weak, and open defecation continues in many areas.
“Sanitation is a human right. Making toilets resilient, accessible, and affordable for all is not only smart policy; it is a moral obligation,” WHO Director Dr Rüdiger Krech said.
He added that countries acting with long-term planning, cross-sector collaboration, and accountability would see major health, economic, and social benefits.
