WaterAid Nigeria, through the Sanitation Hygiene Fund (SHF), has provided over 16,400 basic household toilets and 4,500 sanitation facilities across three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Bauchi State. The project, implemented in Jama'are, Misau, and Tafawa Balewa LGAs, aimed to enable the communities to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and provide improved sanitation for 484,449 people. The project was designed to address recurring cholera outbreaks, open defecation, inadequate sanitation services, and limited access to safe hygiene practices in the affected communities.
The Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, Evelyn Mere, disclosed this information at a learning event of the Accelerating Inclusive Sanitation and Hygiene Economy in Nigeria project, supported by the Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF). Mere, represented by Program Manager Nanpet Chuktu, stated that the 24-month project was implemented across 1,283 communities. The project strengthened sanitation systems, stimulated the sanitation market, promoted innovation, improved hygiene behavior, and enhanced gender inclusion.
Through house-to-house engagement, mass media campaigns, and digital communication platforms, the project reached 900,000 people with key hygiene behavior change messages. These messages aimed to protect families from disease for years to come. The project also supported sanitation entrepreneurs through training, mentoring, and access to financing, enabling them to expand their businesses, generate income, and create jobs. Women and young people emerged as leaders and entrepreneurs in the sanitation sector, demonstrating that inclusive sanitation markets could contribute to improved health and economic empowerment.
The project improved sanitation governance and introduced innovative and locally accessible solutions, including Gulper technology and the Citywide Inclusive Sanitation approach. These interventions provided a foundation for continued improvement in the sanitation service chain beyond the closure of the project. The project also improved the safety, dignity, professional recognition, and incomes of sanitation workers. Communities such as Dunkuyi Ambi moved away from repeated cholera outbreaks and open defecation towards improved sanitation and hygiene practices.
The Country Director emphasized that sanitation should not only be viewed as a means of protecting public health and dignity but also as an economic opportunity capable of creating jobs, alleviating poverty, sustaining livelihoods, and contributing to economic growth. Women entrepreneurs, such as Hajiya Zainab Shehu, whose sanitation business grew while contributing to improved sanitation and hygiene practices in her community, were highlighted as examples of success.
The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr. Emanso Umobong, represented by Director Water Quality, Control, and Sanitation Dr. Jamiliu Habu, stated that the project addressed critical challenges in the sector. These challenges included sustaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) outcomes, promoting Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS), strengthening governance, and promoting sanitation entrepreneurship. Nigeria has made progress, with about 179 LGAs attaining ODF status under the Clean Nigeria Campaign.
The Commissioner for Health in Bauchi State, Eng Suleiman Keelah, commended WaterAid for bringing the project to the state, stating that cholera outbreaks in the state have drastically reduced as a result of the project. However, he appealed for an extension of the project timeline and inclusion of other local government areas in the project. The Program Manager of SFH, Elisha Sulau, disclosed that the Fund was provided by the United Nations system to scale up sanitation in Bauchi state and plans to scale up financing for micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs in the sector.
Key points
- WaterAid Nigeria built 16,400 toilets and 4,500 sanitation facilities across three LGAs in Bauchi State.
- The project reached 900,000 people with key hygiene behavior change messages.
- The project improved sanitation governance and introduced innovative solutions, including Gulper technology and Citywide Inclusive Sanitation approach.
