United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for urgent action to improve water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in schools and primary healthcare facilities across Kano and Jigawa states.
The call was made by the Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano, Mr. Rahama Rihood Mohammed Farah, during a media and stakeholders’ dialogue on WASH services in the two states.
Farah cited findings from the 2021 WASHNORM II survey, which revealed that only 11 per cent of schools nationwide have access to basic water, sanitation and hygiene services, while just six per cent of health facilities meet the same standard.
He noted that the situation is more severe in rural areas of Northwest Nigeria, where inadequate WASH facilities expose millions of children to preventable diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera.
According to him, although Jigawa State has made progress towards open defecation-free status, handwashing facilities and school hygiene infrastructure remain below national averages, putting children’s health and learning at risk.
Mr. Rahama Rihood Farah stressed that schools and health facilities without adequate WASH services can become centres for rapid disease transmission, leading to increased school absenteeism, especially among girls.
He explained that poor WASH conditions undermine children’s dignity, learning outcomes and Nigeria’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals on education and universal access to clean water and sanitation.
Farah disclosed that with donor support, UNICEF is working with governments to improve WASH services, including the inauguration of 84 climate-resilient health and education facilities in Kano and Jigawa under the UK-funded £19 million CRIBS Programme.
He added that the programme has been expanded to other states following its success in the two states.
The UNICEF official also emphasized the importance of proper maintenance of WASH facilities to ensure long-term benefits.
Farah urged the media to play a leading role in highlighting WASH gaps, tracking public spending, holding authorities accountable and advocating for improved facilities in schools and health centres.
He said sustained media advocacy is critical to ensuring healthier and safer learning environments for children across Northwest Nigeria.
Usman Mohammed Zaria
