Nigeria’s sanitation landscape presents a stark reality, the Nigerian Blue Community NEWARI – Network of Water Rights Initiative writes. As of September 2024, only 134 Local Government Areas (LGAs) out of 774 have achieved Open Defecation-Free (ODF) status. More alarming is that 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, still have zero ODF LGAs, a year before the target year – 2025 – by which time all 774 LGAs across the country is expected to be open-defecation-free.
See the Math Behind the Challenge here, using Temple Chukwuemeka Oraeki’s ODF Math
NEWARI concludes: Nigeria’s sanitation revolution requires collective action. We must confront the stark reality, acknowledge progress made, and strive for exponential growth. Achieving ‘z’ close to zero by 2025 demands unwavering commitment, innovative strategies, and sustained efforts.
NEWARI is also adressing the regional disparities: A staggering disparity exists in Open Defecation-Free (ODF) status across regions of Nigeria. While 50% of Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the North West have achieved ODF status, a mere 1% in the South West have reached this milestone.
NEWARI calls for closing the gap: To bridge this divide, we must beam the searchlight on those regions that lag behind, intensifying sanitation initiatives and increasing sanitation investments in those regions. There is a cogent need to also promote inter-regional collaboration and knowledge sharing.