VP Shettima Champions Renewed Drive to End Open Defecation in Nigeria by 2025
ABUJA – Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima has urged state governors to intensify their efforts in eradicating open defecation across Nigeria for the next five years.
Speaking during the 5th anniversary celebration of the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Vice President emphasized the profound impact of sanitation on health, productivity, and human dignity.
Represented by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Shettima reinforced the federal government’s commitment to achieving an Open Defecation-Free (ODF) Nigeria by 2025.
He unveiled a Strategic Plan designed to bolster the campaign’s reach, urging state leaders to prioritize high-level political support for sustainable outcomes.
Addressing Public Health Issues Posed by Open Defecation
“Open defecation poses critical public health and environmental challenges. It contaminates water sources, spreads disease, and undermines economic productivity,” Shettima stated.
He further highlighted the disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups, especially women and girls, whose safety and well-being are often compromised.
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The Vice President also noted the economic opportunities within Nigeria’s sanitation sector, explaining how proper investment could align with the administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
“By fostering initiatives in sanitation, we can create jobs, generate alternative energy, and produce biological fertilizers,” he remarked.
Collaborative Efforts for Success
Shettima applauded the collaborative efforts of stakeholders, including governors, local government officials, international partners, and civil society groups.
Their collective contributions have been very crucial, as was also highlighted by FMINO , in addressing the sanitation crisis and advancing the objectives of the Clean Nigeria Campaign.
“We must re-strategize and expand our advocacy efforts to ensure every Nigerian has access to sanitation by 2030. The new Strategic Plan offers actionable frameworks to realize this vision,” he said, urging governors to extend their support to local governments to meet the ODF target within the proposed timeline.
Progress and Challenges
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, provided a status update during the event, aligning the campaign’s goals with World Toilet Day.
He highlighted that 135 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have achieved ODF status, with over 30,000 communities certified as open defecation-free since the campaign’s launch in 2019 under Presidential Executive Order 009.
Despite these milestones, the progress remains insufficient. Prof. Utsev acknowledged that over 48 million Nigerians still lack access to basic sanitation facilities, posing a significant challenge to the campaign’s goal of nationwide ODF status by 2025.
“The Clean Nigeria Campaign is transformative. However, we must accelerate advocacy and action to achieve our objectives within the set timeline,” he stated.
Legislative Support
Senator (Engr.) Eze Kenneth Emeka, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources, commended the government for its commitment to ending open defecation.
He urged all stakeholders to remain focused on the 2025 target, emphasizing that improved sanitation is key to building a healthier and more productive nation.
“The Ministry of Water Resources deserves commendation for sustaining this campaign. Let us all work towards eliminating this menace,” Senator Emeka concluded.
