Nigeria has the highest NTD burden in Africa, with more than 200 million people at risk of at least one of the diseases.
Ms Bevan said that the campaign against open defecation must be kept at the front burner.
The $700 million programme is underway in Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, and Plateau.
Ms Afolayan lamented the challenges faced in implementing the hand hygiene roadmap since its launch in 2021.
According to him, matters relating to food and water availability and affordability have been placed within the purview of the National Security Council.
UNICEF’s chief of water (WASH), Jane Bevan, said this indicated a significant setback in addressing water and sanitation challenges.
This, Mr Utsev said, would strengthen the partnership and create an opportunity for knowledge sharing.
