The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says Nigeria must build no fewer than 3.9 million toilets annually to end open defecation by the 2025 target.

Jane Bevan, UNICEF Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), said this on Monday at the opening of a two-day maiden toilet business owners conference in Abuja.

Ms Bevan said current toilet construction in the country stood between 180,000 – 200,000 toilets annually, describing it as inadequate.

She said there is a need to do things differently by creating demand for toilets, adding that the private sector could play a huge role in sustainability and strengthening sanitation markets in the country.

Ms Bevan, quoting the 2021 WASH National Outcome Routine Mapping on Nigeria’s sanitation status, said 48 million people practice open defecation, while 95 million were without access to basic sanitation services.

“About 1.3 per cent of GDP or N455 billion is lost annually due to poor access to sanitation – health, health care savings and productivity.

“Every dollar invested in water and sanitation results in economic benefits ranging from $3 to $34.’’

Didi Walson-Jack, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, expressed optimism that toilet business owners would complement the government’s effort to end open defecation in Nigeria.

(NAN)