UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Christian Munduate, has declared nine out of the 23 Local Government Areas in Kaduna State open defecation free.
However, she noted that a total of 619,000 people in the state still practice open defecation.
According to her, this figure exposes these individuals to the dangers associated with this practice. Christian made this announcement at the Kaduna State Open Defecation Free event, where 9 out of 23 LGAs were declared ODF certified. She described the statistic as worrisome.
The Country Representative said that while 40% of communities in the state are now ODF certified and nine LGAs validated, there is much to celebrate. However, she stressed that this is just the beginning, as the state still faces challenges that must be addressed to accelerate progress across the remaining 14 LGAs.
“While we applaud the construction of improved toilets in the celebrated LGAs, which now stand at an impressive average of 90%, it is concerning that only about 30% of the state’s population resides in these ODF LGAs. It is clear that more needs to be done.
“6% of the population in Kaduna, which amounts to 619,000 people, still practice open defecation. This means that these individuals are exposed to the dangers of this practice. This statistic is worrisome and underscores the need for concerted efforts and genuine commitments to eliminate open defecation in Kaduna,” she said.
The Country Representative also advocated for a renewed push towards achieving zero open defecation in the shortest possible time.
She emphasized that the benefits of improved sanitation extend far beyond immediate health outcomes—they contribute to broader goals of sustainable development, impacting education, gender equality, and poverty reduction.
She added that numerous studies have shown that open defecation significantly contributes to the spread of diarrheal diseases, infant mortality, malnutrition, and increased poverty. “By addressing this issue, we are not only safeguarding the health of our communities but also promoting a more equitable and prosperous society,” she said.
She mentioned that these actions align with the Federal Government’s Clean Nigeria initiative, specifically the “Use the Toilet” Campaign, which aims to end open defecation in Nigeria by 2025.
She reaffirmed that UNICEF is fully committed to providing the support needed to ensure access to quality and sustained WASH services in Kaduna State.
In his remarks, Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani, represented by his Deputy Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, expressed his administration’s commitment to achieving zero open defecation in the state. He also commended UNICEF for its work in the state, which led to the declaration of 9 LGAs as ODF free.
