At a recent two-day conference in Lagos, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) emphasized the vital role of private sector investment in the public toilet business to eradicate open defecation in Nigeria.
Experts at the event, “Private Sector Consultation for an Open Defecation-Free Nigeria,” agreed that such investment would significantly contribute to achieving an Open Defecation-Free status in the country.
UNICEF’s Chief of WASH, Jane Bevan, highlighted the importance of sanitation in Nigeria’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and encouraged the private sector to access loans to build public toilets, thereby supporting this critical initiative.
She said, “It is crucial to get everyone on board to achieve the SDG targets by 2026. We need to increase coverage. The private sector can establish public toilets and secure loans to fund sanitation facilities. Involving the private sector is key to ending open defecation in Nigeria.
“We are working closely with the FG and exploring the use of revolving loans to build public toilets. Additionally, we need widespread and continuous sensitisation across all areas.”
Mrs. Elizabeth Ugoh, Director of Water Quality and Sanitation at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, highlighted the pressing issue of 48 million Nigerians lacking access to toilets, stressing the urgent need for private sector investment to support the government’s efforts in tackling open defecation and ensuring adequate sanitation facilities for all.
She said, “This gathering is focused on providing facilities for safe fecal disposal and planning to lift the 48 million Nigerians affected by open defecation.
“We need collaboration with the private sector to provide toilets and sanitation facilities in public spaces like schools, health centers, and motor parks, which they can also brand. The government cannot achieve this alone.”
She stated, “This gathering is focused on providing facilities for safe fecal disposal and planning to lift the 48 million Nigerians affected by open defecation.
“We need collaboration with the private sector to provide toilets and sanitation facilities in public spaces like schools, health centers, and motor parks, which they can also brand. The government cannot achieve this alone.”
Further speaking, Gabriel Ekanem of the National Economic Summit Group said the organisation would collaborate with the government to identify opportunities in the toilet business.
He lamented, however, that maintenance was crucial to sustaining the toilet business.
“The discussion revolves around investment, whether in building sanitation products and maintenance in public spaces.
“We will collaborate with the FG to identify investment opportunities, as it’s challenging to invest sustainably without proper management. There must be funding allocated specifically for maintenance.
“Regarding the facilities we have already started, we will identify locations and address regulatory barriers in certain states. If assets are not funded for maintenance, they cannot be properly maintained.
“Consistent funding is essential to ensure upkeep, and maintenance must be accounted for. A strong maintenance culture is needed. The government must also create an enabling environment with the right legal framework for investments. Additionally, we must recognise that local governments, due to their autonomy, are now responsible for the provision of public facilities,” he noted.
 emphasized the vital role of private sector investment in the public toilet business to eradicate open defecation in Nigeria.){kind=link}