Stakeholders have called for stronger collaboration between government agencies, private operators, and communities to improve access to safe and sustainable toilet facilities in Kaduna State.
The call was made at a meeting with toilet business owners organized by the Centre for Water and Environment Development (CWED) on Thursday in Kaduna, as part of activities marking World Toilet Day 2025.
The meeting, held under the theme “Sanitation in a Changing World,” brought together toilet operators, environmental health officers, and representatives of government ministries, agencies, and civil society organizations.
Mrs. Doris Zakama, Programme Manager of CWED and Public Relations Officer, Kaduna Chapter of the Nigeria Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), said the meeting aimed to raise awareness on the importance of safe and improved toilets.
“World Toilet Day provides an opportunity to highlight the need for good hygiene and proper waste management. It is not just about having a toilet, but ensuring it is improved, clean, and accessible. Without toilets, we cannot prevent the spread of diseases. We must discourage open defecation and promote safe sanitation for all,” she said.
Zakama emphasized that sanitation challenges required joint efforts, adding that no single ministry or agency could solve the problem alone. She noted that private operators often cannot build toilets in low-income or rural areas without government support due to low patronage.
Mr. Bello Ibrahim, Director of Sanitation and Hygiene at the Kaduna State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), said the meeting provided an opportunity to strengthen inter-agency collaboration to address sanitation challenges.
“I urge toilet business owners to take this training as leverage to promote their business and contribute to Kaduna’s sanitation goals,” he added.
Hauwa Ismail, Chief Health Superintendent at the Kaduna Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA), highlighted ongoing enforcement activities, noting that illegal disposal of liquid waste remains a challenge.
“Some households and toilet business operators still discharge waste directly into drains, which is illegal. We conduct house-to-house inspections and issue abatement notices to stop such practices,” she said.
Mr. Kuzasuwat Peter, State Coordinator of NEWSAN and lead presenter at the meeting, said sanitation goes beyond building toilet structures.
“You can build beautiful toilets, but if they are not well maintained, they become useless. Hygiene and handwashing are critical, as many diseases are transmitted through poor sanitation practices. After using the toilet, we must wash our hands with soap and running water. Where soap is not available, ash can be used as it kills microorganisms,” he said.
Kuzasuwat also called for inclusive designs to cater to people with disabilities, pregnant women, and the elderly, and urged builders to consider the impact of climate change on sanitation facilities.
“Our toilets must be climate-resilient, with raised foundations and ramps for easy access,” he added.
A Toilet Business Operator (TBO) from Igabi Local Government Area, Shittu Khalid, commended the government for building public toilets but noted that most were non-functional due to poor maintenance.
“In some communities like Zongo, Kujama, and Sabo, there are no functional toilets. People still practice open defecation because government-built toilets are either locked or broken. If TBOs are supported with materials, training, and awareness campaigns, we can help maintain them,” he said.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, participants resolved to promote hygiene practices that prevent disease transmission, encourage sustainable toilet management, and strengthen collaboration among sanitation stakeholders. They also urged the government to improve toilet evacuation systems and provide incentives for private operators.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment by participants to support efforts to end open defecation and promote clean, safe sanitation in Kaduna State.
It was reported that World Toilet Day, celebrated annually on Nov. 19, is a United Nations initiative aimed at inspiring action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All.
