48m Nigs Still Engaging In Open Defecation – Reps

Despite setting a target to end open defecation in Nigeria by 2025, the Federal Government has revealed that a staggering 48 million Nigerians continue to engage in this practice.

The Minister of State for Environment, Ishaq Salako, made this disclosure in Abuja during a public hearing Organised by the House of Representatives committees on Environment, Water resources and Ecological Fund on the need to end open defecation and flooding menace in the country.

Mr Salako while highlighting the severe health risks posed by the persistence of open defecation in the country, stressed the urgent need for the construction of extensive public toilet facilities nationwide to tackle the issue effectively.

The Minister of State for Environment expressed concern over Nigeria’s slow progress in ending open defecation and highlighted various initiatives undertaken by the Ministry to end the menace.

Calling for collective action, the Minister urged Nigerian citizens and relevant stakeholders to support efforts aimed at eradicating open defecation and addressing associated challenges such as flooding.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji