32 LGAs in Kano Declared Open Defecation Free as State Advances Sanitation Drive

No fewer than 32 out of the 44 Local Government Areas in Kano State have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF), marking a major milestone in the state’s efforts to improve sanitation and public health.

During a Stakeholder Review and Validation of the Sustainable Besic Sanitation Roadmap and The finalization and Validation of kano State WASH Policy

The Team Lead of the WASH Systems for Health programme at Self Help Africa, Timothy Ibeawuchi, disclosed this during the presentation of the outcome of a four-day stakeholders’ review meeting held in Kaduna on Saturday.

He explained that the achievement was recorded under the Federal Government’s Clean Nigeria Campaign, aimed at ending open defecation across the country.
Ibeawuchi noted that Kano is not only making progress in eliminating open defecation but is also taking further steps to develop a comprehensive and sustainable sanitation framework.

According to him, the framework is designed to ensure the delivery of quality, equitable, and long-lasting sanitation services to all residents.

He commended the Kano State Government for its commitment to improving environmental sanitation, describing the progress as a reflection of strong political will and collaboration with development partners.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Kano State Ministry of Water Resources, Engineer Abdulrazaq Haruna, reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Abba Kabir Yusuf to providing essential social services, particularly in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).

He said the state government would continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders to establish a sustainable and climate-resilient sanitation system that guarantees access for all citizens.
Haruna also appreciated participants at the meeting for their contributions and urged them to sustain their engagement in refining the sanitation roadmap to ensure it delivers meaningful impact on communities.

Also speaking, the Sanitation and Partnership Adviser, Sukumun N. Ezekiel, revealed that only 170 out of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas have so far been declared Open Defecation Free.

He described the figure as a sign of progress, but stressed the need for intensified efforts nationwide to achieve total eradication of open defecation.

On behalf of participants, Ambassador Rabi Yusuf Gezawa commended both the Kano State Government and Self Help Africa for creating an inclusive platform that allowed diverse stakeholders to contribute to the development of the sanitation roadmap.

She highlighted that the deliberate inclusion of persons with special needs in the process demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusiveness even before the completion of the policy document.

The four-day meeting attracted representatives from government ministries and agencies, journalists, educational institutions, and over 30 organisations across Kano State, alongside development partners and other key stakeholders, all working towards strengthening sanitation access and improving public health outcomes in the state.