The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation wants the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to devise workable means such as issuing circulars and administrative guidelines mandating the provision and use of adequate Sanitation facilities in all MDAs.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev who stated this when he led a delegation on a visit to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack in Abuja, noted that the gesture would help the country achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) status by 2030 through the Clean Nigeria, Use the toilet campaign.
Professor Utsev said collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has become imperative to drive the success of the campaign, describing it as the engine room of government policy implementation, uniquely positioned to champion Sanitation and Hygiene reforms across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation maintained that it was critical to maintain a sustainable partnership with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to enable civil servants see themselves as powerful agents of change toward achieving an Open Defecation Free Nigeria by 2030.
Professor Utsev explained that the Clean Nigeria Campaign, launched in 2019, stressed that as of today, 148 local government areas have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF), with Jigawa achieving full ODF status.
“We are appealing to the Head of Service to support the campaign by issuing administrative circulars mandating the provision, maintenance, and use of adequate toilet facilities in all MDAs,” Professor Utsev noted.
The minister emphasized that civil servants are strategically positioned to influence public behaviour and policy implementation and can play a leading role in advancing sanitation and hygiene practices across workplaces.
“We must change mindsets and promote consistent, safe, and dignified use of sanitation facilities” he stressed.
He also proposed the inclusion of sanitation and hygiene indicators in MDA performance assessments and recommended the introduction of a Clean Nigeria Campaign Week across the civil service to foster behavioural change.
Utsev emphasised that solving Nigeria’s sanitation challenges goes beyond infrastructure.
“This is crucial to reducing waterborne diseases and improving public health outcomes,” he added.
The Minister therefore pledged readiness to partner with the Head of Civil Service to mobilise the federal workforce in support of the campaign.
Professor Utsev used the occasion to congratulate Walson-Jack on her elevation as the head of the Civil Service and commended her contributions to the Clean Nigeria Campaign, including her recognition as a Clean Nigeria Champion in 2023.
On her part, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack commended the Minister of Water Resources for his commitment to ending open defecation by 2030 and promised to give all the needed support to make the campaign a reality.
“I want to commend the Minister and the Permanent Secretary on the progress made so far. From your report, since I left the ministry less than two years ago, 47 additional LGAs have been declared open defecation-free” she stated.
“While this is commendable, we must not lose sight of the larger goal. We need to roll up our sleeves and work even harder,” she said.
“I am pleased that this next phase of advocacy and sensitisation is beginning in this office. You can be rest assured that my office and I will provide every support possible,” she added.
Walson-Jack who acknowledged the campaign’s major challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, limited funding, cultural resistance, and lack of awareness in rural areas expressed optimism that such obstacles could be addressed through strong institutional collaboration.
She added that the Office of the Head of Service had recently commissioned a remodelled foyer and reception area with retrofitted toilets to serve persons with disabilities.
“Our vision is to treat our facilities, especially our toilets, with the same level of dignity and importance as if they were new. We must lead by example,” she concluded.
Walson-Jack urged all MDAs to embrace the Clean Nigeria Campaign and commit to creating a cleaner, healthier, and open defecation-free Nigeria.
The Clean Nigeria Campaign, launched in 2019, is a critical national initiative aimed at ending open defecation by 2030 and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6.2 on sanitation and hygiene.
