The JICA Alumni Association of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency and key institutions in Abuja, has launched a renewed initiative to eliminate open defecation across all six area councils of the FCT by 2027.

The commitment was reiterated during a one-day workshop organised by JAAN in Abuja.

Stakeholders at the workshop highlighted capacity gaps, weak community participation, and inadequate sanitation infrastructure as major factors undermining the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s sanitation efforts.

The president of JAAN, Ahmed Agberankhe, described the continued practice of open defecation in Abuja’s peri-urban and rural communities as unacceptable, despite the city’s status as the nation’s capital.

“Limited access to toilets, low hygiene awareness, and weak enforcement mechanisms continue to exacerbate this issue,” Mr Agberankhe said.

He stressed that effective partnerships with the six area councils would be essential to strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing sanitation infrastructure, and fostering community-driven behavioural change, leveraging JAAN’s technical expertise and best practices in sanitation programmes.

Mr Agberankhe noted that the initiative aims to achieve open defecation-free status in all six FCT area councils by 2027, while also developing a sustainable sanitation model that could be replicated nationwide.

He added that the programme is aligned with the federal government’s ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’ campaign and the national roadmap to end open defecation.

In a message of goodwill, Ishigame Keiji, chief representative of JICA in Nigeria, described the initiative as timely and people-centred, stressing that sanitation is critical to public health, human dignity, and inclusive development.

“Despite Abuja’s status as the nation’s capital, sanitation challenges persist, especially in peri-urban and rural areas,” Mr Keiji said. “This integrated approach, combining infrastructure development, behavioural change, and capacity building, shows strong local ownership and a clear vision.” 

Mr Keiji reaffirmed JICA’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation, noting that JAAN members play a key role in bridging the gap between Japan and Nigeria in translating knowledge into practical development outcomes.

Abigail Ekpensi, acting director of the FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Directorate, acknowledged that while progress has been made, ending open defecation in the FCT requires stronger collaboration, particularly at the area council level.

Ms Ekpensi recalled that previous partnerships between JICA and RUWASSA had led to the triggering of 20 communities under the Community-Led Total Sanitation programme in Bwari council, the training of WASH personnel, and the construction of over 140 improved sanitation facilities.

(NAN)