As Nigeria grapples with a sweeping wave of cholera affecting many regions, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has called on state authorities to eliminate open defecation in their jurisdictions.
Speaking on Channels Television on Wednesday morning, Mr. Pate emphasized the need for state governments to initiate widespread orientation and push for behavioral change to stop open defecation, which has been a longstanding public health challenge in Nigeria.
Open defecation, the practice of defecating in open spaces rather than using toilets or designated sanitation facilities, remains a significant issue in Nigeria. Approximately 48 million Nigerians, or 23 percent of the population, engage in this practice, leading to severe health and environmental risks. The ongoing cholera outbreak, which has affected 1,528 people nationwide, is partially attributed to the prevalence of open defecation.
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“As part of the nationwide effort to fight cholera, state governments need to end open defecation to prevent feces from contaminating food and water supplies,” Mr. Pate stated. He noted that only Jigawa, out of Nigeria’s 36 states, has been declared open defecation free, urging other states to strive for this status as the nation combats the current epidemic.
Mr. Pate called for a unified effort from federal, state, and local authorities, as well as contributions from the private sector, to tackle the disease outbreak. He stressed that local governments must effectively monitor waste management, hygiene, and sanitation in their communities, while state environmental agencies must support these efforts.
He highlighted ongoing national-level initiatives, including the Ministry of Water Resources’ work to ensure the availability of water and mobile sanitation facilities, but cautioned that these efforts alone are insufficient without active participation from state and local authorities.
“In our federal system, certain responsibilities primarily fall to local governments, such as waste management, hygiene, and sanitation,” Mr. Pate explained. “State environmental agencies must fulfill their roles in addition to the local governments’. We need collective mobilization from both the public and private sectors to address this issue.”
Mr. Pate’s appeal underscores the critical role of coordinated efforts in eradicating open defecation and improving public health amid the ongoing cholera outbreak.
