By AKOR SYLVESTER-Abuja
The minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal has raised alarm over the preveilence of sanitation related diseases, saying over 3.5 million children suffer from diarrheal diseases in Nigeria as a result of poor sanitation.
He said sanitation-related diseases cause morbidity and deaths each year, particularly among vulnerable populations like children and the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
The minister noted that a large number of children die every year due to sanitation and hygiene related diseases.
Balarabe who stated this at a briefing ahead of this year’s National Environmental Sanitation Day Commemoration in Abuja Thursday, said children who are less than five years old are more prone to such diseases, calling for involvement of all stakeholders in efforts to ensure cleaner and safe environment.
According to the Minister, these diseases can have significant economic impacts on individuals, families, and communities, including lost productivity, medical expenses, and reduced economic opportunities.
He hinted that poor sanitation can also lead to contamination of water sources, soil, and air, leading to long-term environmental degradation.
Stating that the issue of sanitation and hygiene in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized, the Minister said: “Sanitation is a fundamental human right, and access to safe sanitation is essential for human dignity, health, and well-being. Unfortunately, many communities in our country still lack access to basic sanitation facilities, putting them at risk of waterborne diseases and other health hazards”.
He reiterated the ministry”s committed to improving sanitation and hygiene practices across the country, maintaining that safe sanitation and hygiene is not just a matter of public health, but also a critical component of sustainable development.
The minister noted that: “In recent times the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Environment has made several efforts towards the delivery of sanitation and hygiene mandates to the Nigerian citizenry.
“The Ministry has reviewed and updated the 2005 National Environmental Sanitation Policy and its implementation Guidelines to meet the present emerging and re-emerging sanitation challenges, National Solid Waste Management Policy has been approved by the Federal Executive Council, the National Policy for Antimicrobial Resistance for the Environment Sector has been launched, construction of public toilets across the nation to curb open defecation menace and ongoing awareness creation and sensitization on the dangers of open defecation.
“The theme for this year’s event aligns with the National Strategic Plan of Action for Cholera Control (NSPACC) 2024-2029. This Strategic Plan is a product of our hard-work evidenced by the years of consultations and multi-sectoral collaboration involving the Federal Ministries of Environment, and other Federal and State Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and other key development partners.
“This Strategic Plan reaffirms our collective resolve to eliminate cholera and create a healthier, safer Nigeria”.
Balarabe commended the states in Nigeria that have reinstated the monthly environmental sanitation (clean-up) exercise, demonstrating their commitment to keeping the environment clean and promoting public health.
He said the initiative is crucial in preventing sanitation-related diseases and fostering a sense of community responsibility, while urging the states that have not yet reinstated the exercise to do so.
“Working together we can maintain clean environments and protect the health and well-being of our citizens”,he said .
The minister used the occasion to announce that the 2025 National Environmental Sanitation Day commemoration will be held on 17th July 2025 and added that “although the official date is June 28th, this year it falls on a Saturday, and we have strategically rescheduled the commemoration to ensure maximum participation and impact.
“The Federal Ministry of Environment will mark the event with Nasarawa State on the scheduled date while other states including the FCT are expected to commemorate the event as well. In view of the above, commemoration of the 2025 National Environmental Sanitation Day will include the following activities such as press briefing, cleanup exercise in communities on 16th July, 2025
National Environmental Sanitation Day main event commemoration on 17th July 2025.
He noted that sanitation and hygiene is a collective responsibility that requires the concerted efforts of government, private sector, communities and individuals.
The minister used the opportunity to solicit the support of Development Partners, Non-governmental Organizations, Organized Private Sector and every individual to work together to promote a culture of cleanliness and good hygiene practices.
He called upon the media to play a pivotal role in propagating sanitation and hygiene campaigns and awareness, leveraging their platforms to drive positive behavior change and inspire a nationwide commitment to environmental sanitation
The minister further called on all Nigerians to join hands in promoting safe sanitation and hygiene practices for disease prevention, enjoining them to work together to create a cleaner, healthier environment for themselves and future generations.
