The Federal Government of Nigeria in collaboration with development partners today commemorated the 6th Anniversary of the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign alongside the 2025 World Toilet Day in Abuja. The event brought together government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, community advocates and private sector stakeholders to celebrate progress and reaffirm national commitment to ending open defecation in Nigeria.
The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, who was represented by Mrs. Inna Binta Audu, Special Adviser to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Development Partners, announced the signing and ongoing gazetting of the revised Presidential Executive Order 009 on Open Defecation-Free Nigeria. According to him, the revised Order strengthens the legal and institutional frameworks for sanitation delivery, expands private sector participation, and enhances monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to sustain national gains.
The Vice President noted that since the launch of the Clean Nigeria Campaign in 2019, the country has recorded steady and inspiring progress in several communities verified and declared Open Defecation Free (ODF), alongside two States achieving full ODF status, Millions of toilets constructed through government, private sector, and community initiatives, Approximately 23 million Nigerians gaining access to improved sanitation between 2019 and 2024, Millions more reached through targeted behavioural change and hygiene promotion campaigns.
The Vice President emphasised that “the task ahead remains substantial,” calling for renewed coordination, accountability, and investment to achieve the revised national target of a fully Open Defecation-Free Nigeria by 2030. He further reflected on the 2025 World Toilet Day theme, “Sanitation in a Changing World”, stressing the need for climate-smart sanitation solutions and resilient systems in the face of climate change, rapid urbanisation, and public health challenges.
Speaking at the occasion, the First Lady of Kwara State and Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF),Her Excellency, Ambassador Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, applauded the Honourable Minister for organizing an event that addresses key sanitation concerns while also driving innovation and sustainable initiatives that promote healthy sanitation practices across the country. She emphasized that although progress has been made, the journey ahead remains significant, as achieving universal access to sanitation will require sustained investment, coordination, innovation, and consistent community engagement.
She encouraged stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector players, development partners, traditional and religious institutions, and community organizations, to strengthen collaboration, scale up Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), and adopt technologies that are both affordable and environmentally sustainable in order to promote sound hygiene practices.
The Fìrst Lady of Kwara State received awards at the occasion for the state for its consistent budget allocation and financing Sanitation.
In his welcome address, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE, highlighted the remarkable milestones recorded in the last six years. He announced that Nigeria now has 158 ODF Local Government Areas, with Katsina State recently achieving State-wide ODF status, a demonstration of what strong political will, community-driven efforts, and stakeholder collaboration can achieve.
The Minister emphasised that sanitation remains a development priority affecting health, education, productivity, and the dignity of women and girls. He called for intensified efforts, innovative financing mechanisms, technological solutions, and strengthened multi-sectoral partnerships to accelerate progress toward national sanitation goals.
He acknowledged and appreciated the leadership of the Vice President as the Chairman of the Clean Nigeria Campaign Steering Committee, development partners, civil society organisations, and traditional and religious institutions for their sustained commitment.
The 2025 Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign (CNC) Awards recognized outstanding performance and commitment to ending open defecation across Nigeria. State Performance Awards celebrated excellence across six CNC pillars, including policy leadership, multi-sectoral collaboration, sanitation financing, innovative service delivery, advocacy and communication, and data-driven monitoring and accountability.
Special Recognition Awards honored States and individuals achieving milestones such as State-wide Open Defecation Free status, highest number of ODF-validated LGAs, gender inclusion, youth engagement, academic contribution, and regional leadership. Non-State Actor Awards recognized exemplary contributions from civil society organizations, development partners, and the private sector for their innovation, technical support, and community-led sanitation initiatives.
Other LGAs that received awards at the ceremony included LGAs from Adamawa, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Cross River, Benue, Borno and Anambra, while Katsina State, the ODF Trophy Winner, was recognised as the second State in Nigeria to achieve full Open Defecation Free status.
Signed
Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan
Director Information and PR
19 November, 2025.
