The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, hosted the Founder of the World Toilet Organization, Professor Dr. Jack Sim, in Abuja, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen sanitation, hygiene, and sustainable public health systems across Nigeria.
The globally renowned sanitation advocate was received by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Emanso Okop Umobong, alongside the Ministry’s top management team, on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Terlumun Utsev.
The engagement focused on strengthening collaboration toward advancing the Clean Nigeria Campaign through the exchange of global best practices, innovative sanitation solutions, and successful international models aimed at ending open defecation and improving hygiene standards nationwide.
Speaking during the meeting, the Permanent Secretary described Dr. Jack Sim’s contributions to global sanitation advocacy as transformative, noting that his efforts have helped position sanitation not merely as an environmental concern, but as a critical issue of human dignity, public health, economic productivity, and sustainable development.
She reaffirmed Nigeria’s appreciation for its longstanding partnership with the World Toilet Organization and acknowledged the organization’s continued support toward achieving universal access to sanitation services across the country.
According to her, the visit comes at a strategic time as the Federal Government, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, intensifies efforts to improve water supply, sanitation, hygiene, and environmental sustainability nationwide.
Dr. Umobong further recalled Nigeria’s successful hosting of the World Toilet Summit 2022, which significantly strengthened national commitment toward ending open defecation and accelerating the implementation of the Clean Nigeria Campaign. She highlighted progress recorded through increased sanitation awareness, expansion of Community-Led Total Sanitation initiatives, and the declaration of additional Local Government Areas and States as Open Defecation Free.
While acknowledging persistent challenges, including rapid urbanization, population growth, and limited access to safely managed sanitation services, the Permanent Secretary emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among government institutions, development partners, the private sector, civil society organizations, and local communities to achieve sustainable sanitation outcomes.
In his welcome address, the Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Mr. Habu Jamilu, mni, commended Dr. Jack Sim for his unwavering commitment to global sanitation advocacy and sustainable development. He noted that the World Toilet Summit 2022 further reinforced Nigeria’s resolve to end open defecation and expressed optimism that sustained collaboration, innovation, and stakeholder engagement would support the country’s drive toward achieving Open Defecation Free status nationwide.
In his remarks, Dr. Jack Sim stressed that sanitation should not be viewed solely as a government responsibility, but as a collective societal mission requiring the active participation of communities, the private sector, media organizations, celebrities, influencers, traditional institutions, and local leadership.
He emphasized that public awareness, behavioral change, and community ownership remain critical to breaking the silence around sanitation and achieving lasting transformation.
He pledged enhanced collaboration with the Ministry to accelerate the campaign and achieve an Open Defecation Free Nigeria as soon as possible.
The meeting also featured contributions from directors of the Ministry and development partners, including Self Help Africa, which reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Ministry and other stakeholders in driving systemic change and improving access to sanitation services across Nigeria.
In her vote of thanks, the National Coordinator of the Clean Nigeria Campaign, Mrs. Chizoba Opara, expressed appreciation to the Honourable Minister and the Permanent Secretary for their sustained support and commitment toward achieving the mandate of the Clean Nigeria Campaign.
She also commended Dr. Jack Sim for his inspiring visit and enduring partnership with Nigeria in advancing sanitation and hygiene development.
Mrs. Opara further appreciated all directors, development partners, stakeholders, and participants for their unwavering support and expressed optimism for sustained collaboration toward addressing Nigeria’s sanitation challenges through inclusive, sustainable, and people-centered approaches.
Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan
Director Information and PR
19 May, 2026
