UNICEF has solicited media support to amplify children’s voices in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, thereby holding governments accountable for their commitments.

Rahama Farah, chief of the UNICEF field office in Kano, made the appeal on Tuesday at a media dialogue on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services in Kano and Jigawa.

According to him, WASH Matters for children, schools, and health care facilities, as they host substantial numbers of people of varying ages, health status, and physical abilities.

These settings, he explained, can be centres for rapid spread of diseases if not adequately provided with WASH facilities.

“Clean water, toilets, and handwashing stations in schools and health centres are lifelines for children’s health, for their learning, and dignity.

“Without them, school absenteeism rises especially for girls and infections spread rapidly, undermining SDG targets for education (4.a) and universal WASH (6.1-6.2),” he said.

He stated that the Nigeria 2021 WASHNORM II survey, the most comprehensive recent national assessment, revealed stark challenges in WASH services across institutions such as health facilities and schools.

Nationwide, Mr Farah explained, only 11 per cent of schools have access to basic water, sanitation and hygiene services, with figures even more dire in rural Northwest Nigeria.

“Only six per cent of health facilities have access to basic water supply, basic sanitation, and hygiene services in Kano and Jigawa states.

“In both states, the situation mirrors national laws but demands urgent local action, though Jigawa and recently Katsina states have made strides toward open defecation-free status.

“Handwashing functionality remains low, with states like Jigawa scoring below national averages in school hygiene infrastructure, leaving millions of children exposed to preventable illnesses like diarrhea and cholera.

“In North-West Nigeria, poor WASH contributes to high child morbidity, robbing kids of safe spaces to thrive,” the UNICEF chief said.

He, however, disclosed that UNICEF, with donor funding, was supporting governments to improve WASH services in schools and health facilities.

He disclosed that in 2025, the UK government invested £19 million in the Climate Resilient for Basic Infrastructure Programme, which funded 84 climate-resilient health and education facilities in Kano and Jigawa.

Mr Farah further explained that the success was achieved through a collaboration among UNICEF, the federal government, the UK government, and partners.

He urged the media to utilise its power to drive change through relentless advocacy, thereby spotlighting WASHNORM gaps in Kano and Jigawa.

The UNICEF chief also appealed to the media to demand transparency in state budgets and to track resource allocations for boreholes, latrines, and soap in health and educational facilities.

He reminded media practitioners of their responsibility to hold governments at all levels accountable in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

(NAN)