The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, has made a passionate appeal to the leaders of the Abuja National Mosque and other mosques nationwide to support its unwavering commitment and efforts to end open defecation in Nigeria by 2030. The government emphasized that eliminating open defecation will significantly reduce the occurrence of cholera, diarrhea, and other contagious diseases in the country.
This appeal was made by the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev,during an advocacy visit to the Murshid of the Abuja National Mosque, Prof. Shehu Ahmad Saeed Galadanci, today in Abuja. The Minister was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mr. Richard Pheelangwah and other senior management staff.
Prof. Utsev highlighted the grave socio-economic and health risks posed by open defecation, emphasizing its impact on public health, environmental sustainability, and national development. He noted that these concerns led to the launch of the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign in August 2019, a flagship initiative aimed at achieving an open-defecation-free (ODF) Nigeria and reaffirmed that the campaign remains a top national priority under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Regarding the progress made so far, the Minister stated that 142 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the country have successfully attained ODF status, with Jigawa State standing out as the only state to have completely eradicated open defecation. However, he stressed that sustained efforts and stronger partnerships are required to ensure that all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) achieve ODF status by 2030.
Recognizing the influential role of religious institutions in shaping societal behaviors, Prof. Utsev urged the National Mosque leadership to take a leading role in this advocacy. He emphasized the importance of providing adequate toilet and sanitation facilities in all mosques nationwide and encouraged religious leaders to use their platforms—sermons, teachings, and community engagements—to educate worshippers on proper sanitation practices.
The Minister underscored Federal government’s commitment to working closely with religious institutions, traditional rulers, and community influencers to drive advocacy, promote behavioral change, reduce waterborne diseases, and improve public health.
In response, the Murshid of the Abuja National Mosque, Prof. Shehu Ahmad Saeed Galadanci, represented by Prof. Muhammad Kabir Adam, commended the Federal government’s initiative and emphasized the importance of cleanliness in Islam.
He pledged the mosque’s full support for Nigeria’s goal of ending open defecation by 2030 and assured the government of its commitment to raising awareness about proper sanitation.
He also highlighted the mosque’s facilities, which serve 5,000–6,000 worshippers daily, including toilets and ablution areas for 300 people at a time and also stressed that proper sanitation aligns with Islamic teachings.
He also stated that the mosque would initiate plans to promote the campaign nationwide by encouraging other Imams to incorporate the message of ending open defecation into their sermons and emphasized the importance of collaboration between religious institutions and government agencies, reaffirming their shared responsibility in making Nigeria open-defecation-free by 2030.
Signed
Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan
Director, Information and Public Relations
20th March 2025
