Vice President Kashim Shettima, on the occasion of 2024 World Toilet Day, unveiled the revised Clean Nigeria Campaign (CNC) Strategic Plan aimed at eradicating open defecation nationwide by 2030. The plan targets making all 774 local government areas open defecation-free, addressing the staggering statistic of 48 million Nigerians still practicing this harmful habit.
Highlighting the campaign’s goals, Shettima emphasized that access to safe and clean toilets is fundamental to human dignity, public health, and safety. He called on all levels of government and stakeholders to collaborate towards achieving this vision.
The initiative builds on previous efforts, including the 2018 declaration of a state of emergency in the WASH sector and the 2019 “Use the Toilet” campaign. However, challenges persist, with open defecation most prevalent in states like Ebonyi, Plateau, and Kogi, and rural and impoverished communities disproportionately affected.
The WASHNORM 2021 report reveals that only 46% of Nigerians have access to basic sanitation, while unsafe practices continue to cause significant health and economic losses. As the revised strategy rolls out, the government aims to strengthen infrastructure and public awareness to combat this persistent issue.
