Nigeria: Stench of open defecation

“Many Nigerians still defecate in the open even in urban areas. Stench of open defecation permeates local communities nationwide”, the Nigerian Tribune writes:

With over 48 million people lacking access to basic sanitation facilities, making use of open spaces, fields, or waterways to relieve themselves, which has become a daily reality for many in both rural communities and urban slums. The implications of such actions, however repulsive, are far-reaching as they directly alter the healthy environment creation ratio with consequential effects on public health and human dignity.

In many areas, the absence of toilets and sewage systems leaves residents with no choice but to resort to unsafe practices as open defecation. The problem stems from a combination of inadequate infrastructure, poverty, and cultural norms. But the consequences and health risks are severe, with open defecation contributing to outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, and typhoid. These illnesses disproportionately affect children, increasing mortality rates and perpetuating cycles of poverty. Beyond health, the practice pollutes rivers and farmlands, and jeopardises food security and clean water sources for millions.

Ending open defecation is not just about building toilets, it’s also about investing in infrastructure, changing mindsets, and prioritising the basic human right to sanitation. Without this urgent action, the country risks compromising public health, environmental sustainability, and its aspirations for national development.

Source and full article: Nigerian Tribune

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