By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
World Toilet Day – Nov 19, 2025.
Mangrove & Partners, an institutional-strengthening consultancy, on Tuesday convened a national webinar to accelerate Nigeria’s efforts toward ending open defecation as the world commemorates World Toilet Day 2025.
Speaking during the virtual session, the firm’s Managing Partner/CEO, Timeyin Uwejamomere, said the dialogue was aimed at uniting key WASH stakeholders to review workable strategies for scaling up sanitation interventions across the country. He stressed the need for urgent action to fast-track Nigeria’s progress toward attaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
The event showcased Jigawa and Katsina, the two states already certified ODF. Heads of their rural water supply agencies—Engr. Labaran Adamu (Jigawa RUWASSA) and Engr. Aminu Safana (Katsina RUWASSA)—outlined how political commitment, dedicated WASH budget lines and sustained community engagement delivered the milestone. They credited former Minister of Water Resources, Sulaiman Adamu, for his sustained advocacy which secured the buy-in of state governors. They also acknowledged UNICEF Nigeria for technical support and capacity building.
National Coordinator of the Federal Government’s Clean Nigeria Campaign, Chizoma Opara, urged other governors to take advantage of the momentum already created to push their states toward ODF status. She said the campaign would intensify engagement with states to replicate the successes recorded in Jigawa and Katsina.
In his closing remarks, former minister Sulaiman Adamu described the webinar as a vital platform for sharing lessons and driving political action. He congratulated Katsina for joining Jigawa on the ODF map and encouraged other states to adopt their model. He also commended Mangrove & Partners for providing a space to showcase progress and renew commitment.
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This year’s World Toilet Day is themed “We’ll Always Need the Toilet: ODF is Possible in Nigeria.”
