WORLD TOILET DAY: LAGOS GOVT IS COMMITTED TO DELIVERING SAFE, SUSTAINABLE SANITATION INFRASTRUCTURE – COMMISSIONER
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The Lagos State Government on Wednesday reiterated its commitment to deliver accessible, affordable, safe and sustainable sanitation infrastructure for residents by strengthening regulatory frameworks that enhance service delivery and accountability in the state.
Speaking during the 2025 World Toilet Day Celebrations held at the Eko FM Multi-purpose Hall, Ikeja, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said the significance of the day is to raise awareness about the urgent need for safe and sustainable sanitation for all.
The Commissioner, who spoke through the Managing Director of the Lagos State Advertising and Signage Agency (LASSA), Prince Fatiu Akinolu, said the target of the State to make Lagos Open Defecation Free remains clear, adding that this is in line with the national target slated for the year 2030 and to ensure that every Lagosian has access to a clean and safe toilet, irrespective of their location in the state.
Wahab, while highlighting the theme for the celebration “We’ll Always Need the Toilet,” said it implores us to take decisive action to protect and expand access to sanitation despite the numerous challenges being encountered, such as ageing infrastructure, rising demand, as well as the pressing impact of climate change.
“In a rapidly changing world, one truth remains constant: we will always rely on sanitation to safeguard our health and maintain a clean environment. Today, we highlight not only the practicalities of sanitation but also its profound impact on human dignity, public health, and environmental sustainability,” he said.
He said the state, in pursuing this vision, has crafted frameworks that enhance service delivery and accountability while expanding public-private partnerships to develop essential sanitation infrastructure within densely populated areas, schools, and markets, adding that these are part of a broader initiative to implement the State WASH Policy.
Wahab stated that the present administration recently approved the construction of an additional 20 public toilets of 10 units, amounting to 200 units of public toilets and bathrooms to be added to the already existing 1710 in strategic locations across the State.
He said the state is determined to strengthen the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office to enhance its capacity to manage faecal sludge efficiently.
“The State is in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria to conduct a pivotal study on the sanitation circular economy, which will identify opportunities in faecal sludge management and involve strategic collaboration to foster sustainable sanitation practices”, he added.
Other collaborations are with our development partners WaterAid Nigeria, UNICEF, USAID, the World Bank, the Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (OPS-WASH), and many others who continue to support our vision through technical assistance, capacity development, and innovative financing models,” he said.
He stressed that the State is working to embrace the principles of a circular economy by integrating technological advancements that allow the transformation of waste into valuable resources for energy generation and composting, saying this innovative spirit is crucial in driving efficient, accessible, and environmentally friendly sanitation solutions.
“As we navigate a world transformed by urbanisation, climate change, and technological advancement, we recognise that the challenges associated with sanitation are continually evolving; The rapid expansion of our cities creates unprecedented demand for sanitation infrastructure, compelling us to innovate”, he said.
Wahab implored everyone to collaborate and design systems that are resilient to environmental change and can withstand the effects of climate challenges, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events. He added that this will not only maintain existing facilities but also completely readdress how we approach sanitation, ensuring it is both sustainable and adaptable.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji, said, “According to the United Nations, billions of people across the globe still live without a safe toilet, while women and girls are mostly affected”.
He said that if individuals had access to a safe, resilient toilet, thousands of lives would be saved, which would build the foundations for a more peaceful and prosperous world.
Gaji, represented by the Director Environmental Education Unit, Mrs Monsurat Banir, stressed the urgent need to invest in ‘future-ready’ sanitation and raise awareness to inspire action that tackles the pressing challenges of sanitation, access, infrastructure, and public health. “No matter what lies ahead, we will always rely on sanitation to protect us from diseases and keep our environment clean,” he said.
World Toilet Day is celebrated globally and annually, and the Celebration was attended by Environmental Enthusiasts, Members of Civil Societies, non-governmental organisations, the Media, as well as Students from Lagos State School, among others.
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