A Sanitation Revolution: Lagos to Construct 10,000 Public Toilets to End Open Defecation

In a landmark move poised to address a major public health crisis, the Lagos State Government has unveiled a monumental plan to construct 10,000 public toilets across the state. The announcement, made during a meeting of the Lagos Water Partnership Steering Committee, signals a new, ambitious phase in the state’s long-standing battle against open defecation.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Mahamood Adegbite, confirmed the proposal, stating that the project is part of a comprehensive strategy to transform Lagos into a more water-resilient and hygienic megacity. The plan calls for the construction of 100 public toilet units, each housing 100 toilets, which will be strategically deployed in communities across the state. This large-scale infrastructure project is intended to directly tackle the root cause of open defecation: a severe lack of accessible public toilet facilities.

The initiative is not a solo effort by the government. It is a public-private partnership (PPP), with key stakeholders like the international development organization WaterAid already on board. The collaboration aims to attract significant private sector investment to fund the project, a model that the government hopes will ensure its long-term sustainability and success. This approach is critical, given that past efforts to provide public toilets have often been plagued by maintenance and management issues.

The urgency of this project cannot be overstated. Open defecation is a critical public health concern in Nigeria, which has one of the highest rates of the practice in the world. According to a 2024 UNICEF report, millions of Nigerians lack access to improved sanitation facilities, a situation that has dire consequences. The practice contributes to the spread of deadly waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery, which disproportionately affect children. It also pollutes the environment, contaminates water sources, and undermines the dignity and safety of citizens.

The Lagos State Government’s new plan is more than just about building toilets; it is about promoting a new culture of sanitation and hygiene. Alongside the infrastructure development, officials have indicated that there will be a robust public awareness campaign and strict enforcement of sanitation laws to ensure that the new facilities are properly utilized. The success of this massive undertaking will be a defining moment for the Lagos State administration and could provide a much-needed blueprint for how other states in Nigeria can address their own sanitation crises.