Over 90 percent of Nigeria’s population lack access to complete basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, according to findings from the 2021 WASH NORM Report.
This was disclosed by Mr. Monday Johnson, a WASH Specialist with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), during a two-day media dialogue themed “Accelerating Actions to Improve Urban Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Nigeria,” held in collaboration with the Oyo State Ministry of Information.
Quoting the 2021 report, Johnson stated that only 10 percent of Nigerians have access to complete basic WASH services as defined by global Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) standards, describing the situation as “alarming” and exacerbated by rapid urban expansion, weak infrastructure, and inadequate government investment.
“The overall status of the WASH sector in Nigeria remains low. Only 10 percent of the population have access to complete basic WASH services, while those in rural areas are three times more disadvantaged than those in urban centres,” he said.
Johnson warned that Nigeria’s growing population and rapid urbanisation are deepening the WASH crisis, as cities become overcrowded and essential infrastructure is stretched beyond capacity. He cautioned that the projected population growth by 2050 could further worsen access to clean water and sanitation unless urgent, coordinated action is taken by all levels of government.
“More people are moving into urban areas, thereby overstressing existing sanitation and hygiene facilities. Urban centres are already overwhelmed—more people, fewer facilities,” he added.
Highlighting Ekiti State as one of the few with an updated WASH policy, Johnson urged other states to adopt similar frameworks and ensure strict enforcement. He emphasized that access to clean water and sanitation is a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of public health.
“The driver of healthy living is the availability of good WASH facilities. Government must increase funding, strengthen policies, and engage the private sector to bridge service delivery gaps,” he said.
Johnson also advocated for a policy directive requiring public facilities—including filling stations, markets, and motor parks—to provide clean water and sanitation services to curb open defecation.
He further recommended the establishment of an Urban Sanitation Coordination Unit under relevant ministries to institutionalize budgeting and implementation, integrate urban sanitation into state development plans, and build capacity among sanitation officers and private operators.
In conclusion, he called on state governments to update and approve their WASH policies, create enabling environments for private sector participation, and develop full-chain sanitation models—covering containment, emptying, transport, treatment, and reuse—to ensure sustainable access to safe water and sanitation for all Nigerians.
