Report by ABDULLAHI JALALUDDEEN; Editing by BASIRAT MEMUDU
The Kano State Government and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation (FMWR&S) have celebrated significant milestones in the state’s sanitation journey.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, led a delegation to the Kano State Government House, where he presented Open Defecation Free (ODF) certificates to 26 Local Government Areas (LGAs) that have achieved this feat.
The Deputy Governor of Kano State, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam in his speech, highlighted the state’s progress in achieving ODF status, with 26 out of 44 LGAs certified.
He attributed the success to the collective efforts of the state government, development partners, and stakeholders.
Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam emphasized the importance of sustaining the momentum and scaling up investments to achieve a fully ODF Kano State.
He said Kano State Government has launched a massive statewide sanitation intervention, with key pillars including:
Construction of public and household toilets and boreholes across all 44 LGAs,
Funding support to self-help groups and communities, Strengthening of community bylaws and local monitoring,
Engagement of traditional rulers, religious leaders, and women’s groups as champions of hygiene.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev represented by the permanent Secretary of the Ministry Richard Pheelangwa urged the Kano State Government to take deliberate actions to actualize the objectives of the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign.
He said these actions include intensifying support to the remaining 18 LGAs, strengthening the State Task Group on Sanitation, and improving budgetary allocations to sustain community-led sanitation programming and infrastructure.
“One of the key components of the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme, is Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’ Campaign, which aims to End Open Defecation in Nigeria by the year 2030.
some of the milestones already achieved under the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign at the national level:
“Reinaugurated the Steering Committee of the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign in June, 2024 under the Leadership of His Excellency, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Kashim Shettima, GCON.
Launched the Revised Implementation Strategy (2025–2030) for Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign in November, 2024;
148 LGAs have been declared Open Defecation Free status across 20 States, with Jigawa State as the first and only State to achieve State-wide ODF status.
Developed the Clean Nigeria Campaign web portal that now allows for real-time monitoring and reporting of sanitation progress nationwide.
Commenced High-Level Advocacy to Religious Leaders at the national level, recognizing their influence in driving behavioural change.
On-going arrangement for additional advocacy visits to engage the First Lady and Wife of the President, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and other national and sub-national actors to further strengthen institutional ownership and action.” The Minister added.
The ceremony was graced by various stakeholders in the Water Sanitation and Hygiene sector.
