Federal Government Report Highlights $3 Billion Economic Toll Of Inadequate Sanitation In Nigeria

Federal Government Report Highlights $3 Billion Economic Toll Of Inadequate Sanitation In Nigeria....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

On Tuesday, the Federal Government revealed that Nigeria is falling behind on the global Sustainable Development Goal sanitation target, emphasizing an annual loss of approximately $3 billion due to poor sanitation practices, including the use of unsanitary toilets and open defecation………CONTINUE READING

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Speaking at the National Workshop on Safely Managed Sanitation in Abuja, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, expressed concern about Nigeria’s deviation from the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 6.2 for sanitation. This target aims to achieve universal access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene by 2030, with a specific focus on ending open defecation and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations.

Utsev acknowledged that only 46% of the Nigerian population has access to basic sanitation services, with 25% practicing open defecation and a mere 18% having access to safely managed services. These figures highlight significant disparities in access across wealth quintiles and geographic locations, necessitating a fivefold increase in progress and tripled investment to meet SDG target 6.2 by 2030.

Despite the current challenges, Utsev reassured that the government is actively addressing the concerns and remains committed to achieving SDG 6 target for sanitation. He underscored the importance of sanitation in contributing to national development goals, such as food security, poverty reduction, economic growth, job creation, and inclusivity.

The minister also emphasized the economic impact of poor sanitation, citing a World Bank report estimating that Nigeria incurs an annual loss of $3 billion (equivalent to N455 billion) due to unsanitary practices and open defecation. These costs include healthcare expenses, loss of productivity, premature deaths, and adverse effects on education outcomes.

Additionally, the United Nations Children’s Fund reported that 23% of Nigeria’s population, equivalent to 48 million people, still engage in open defecation. The distribution across geopolitical zones reveals varying percentages, further highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address this pressing sanitation issue.

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