The Federal Government has revealed that more than 45 million Nigerians continue to practice open defecation, highlighting a persistent public health challenge.
At a press briefing in Abuja on 19 November 2025, held to mark World Toilet Day, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said the lack of functional toilets in schools, markets, and health facilities exposes Nigerians to diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea.
Describing toilets as “lifelines” that protect public health, preserve human dignity, and safeguard the environment, Lawal lamented that sanitation systems remain underfunded and poorly managed.
He urged private investors, as well as state and local governments, to increase investment in sanitation infrastructure, enforce sanitation laws, and raise community awareness.
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Citing recent surveys, the minister noted that roughly 23% of Nigerians still rely on open defecation — equivalent to 46–48 million people — underscoring the gap between national targets and current reality.
Lawal’s remarks on 19 November emphasized the urgent need to improve sanitation infrastructure to protect public health and reduce the economic and social costs of poor hygiene practices.