Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving sanitation in communities across Nigeria.
Malam Balarabe Lawal, the Minister of Environment, said this at the 2025 World Toilet Day Commemoration, Community Engagement/Sensitisation Campaign and inauguration of Smart Toilet held at the Orange Market Mararaba, Nasarawa State on Thursday.
Lawal, who was represented by Mr Mahmud Kambari Permanent Secretary in the Ministry said access to clean and safe toilets is a fundamental human right essential for public health and environmental protection.
He said globally, about 4.5 billion people lack safely managed sanitation systems, while 892 million continue to practice open defecation.
Environment sanitation, he said, is directly linked to public health, environmental protection, and economic productivity.
“Poor sanitation contributes to the transmission of diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis A, and polio.
“Access to a safe and clean toilet is not a privilege but a fundamental human right that protects health and safeguards our environment,” he said.
The Minister stated that the World Toilet Day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly to draw global attention to the plight of billions of people who still live without access to safe toilets.
“This event is celebrated annually on Nov. 19, every year, it brings together governments, development partners, civil society, and communities to reflect on the state of sanitation and reaffirm our shared commitment to ensuring access to safe and sustainable sanitation practices in our communities.
“This year’s theme:“Sanitation in a Changing World,” is timely as it reflects the evolving environmental, social, and public health challenges facing our nation and the world.
“It also reminds us of the need to install proper sanitation systems, taking into consideration rapid urbanisation and population growth, especially in our cities.
According to him, community engagement, sensitisation campaigns as well as the inauguration of a Smart Toilet Facility in Orange Market, Mararaba, is part of the activities to mark the 2025 World Toilet Day.
“This initiative is a partnership between the Federal Ministry of Environment, Bhustan Energy and Environmental Services Ltd, and Rural Women Energy Security. It targets traders, transport workers, and market users to promote proper sanitation, proper hygiene, and safe waste disposal.
Dr Stephen Ohize Regional Coordinator, Global Task Force on Cholera Control Country Support Platform (GTFCC) and the Red Cross said that safe, dignified, and adequate sanitation is one of their most effective tools against cholera.
“Cholera and other waterborne diseases spread quickly where there is open defecation, poor waste management and unsafe water.
“Public toilet in a busy market like this is therefore not just a project; it is a powerful tool to protect health, support business, and uphold human dignity – especially for women, girls, the elderly, and people living with disabilities.
“The GTFCC, with more than 65 global partners, including governments (Nigeria inclusive), development partners, donors, and regional organisations, works to galvanise support, provide guidelines and ultimately advance the goal of the global roadmap to end cholera and, by extension, other waterborne diseases,”Ohize explained.
Nasarawa state governor, Abdullahi Sule, said that the provision of the smart products we inaugurated as well as the air pollution monitoring facility earlier provided, are meaningful contributions that can improve the well being of the community.
Sule who was represented by Mrs Margaret Elayo, Nasarawa State Commissioner of Environment said that toilet is not a luxury, it is a necessity.
“To my people, the people of Orange Market, the trade unions, you should please take this project as your own. Normally, most of the time I do say this. When government establish or bring in a project, it is not a continuation of the government anymore.
“I urge everybody in the market to take full advantage and make sure you do the right thing for your own environment,” Sule said.
