Borno State Unveils Roadmap to End Open Defecation by 2030
By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri
The Borno State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has launched a bold roadmap to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in 25 local government areas by 2030.
The campaign’s rollout, spearheaded by state ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), aims to tackle open defecation through the provision of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities and behaviour-change initiatives.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Committee in Maiduguri to mark World Toilet Day, Governor Babagana Zulum, represented by Deputy Governor Usman Kadafur, highlighted the committee’s composition. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Bukar Tijjani, chairs the committee, supported by commissioners, council chairmen, and traditional rulers.
“The campaign will reach every household with WASH facilities provided not only in homes but also in schools, markets, motor parks, and public institutions,” said Kadafur.
He emphasised the urgency of combating poor sanitation, citing its role in outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne diseases, while charging MDAs to fully implement and sustain the WASH initiative.
Biu and Shani local councils were celebrated as the first in the state to achieve ODF status, with the deputy governor expressing gratitude to UNICEF for its technical and material support in providing WASH facilities.
UNICEF’s Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Gerida Birukila, commended the state for its concrete policy actions. “Borno has made remarkable progress, with two LGAs already declared open defecation-free,” she said, adding that the roadmap aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for universal access to sanitation and hygiene.
She further emphasised the need to prioritise equity, ensuring disadvantaged populations benefit first, and stressed sustainability through inclusive and participatory approaches.
The roadmap is expected to transform public health outcomes and improve living conditions across Borno, setting a strong precedent for other states to follow.
