World Toilet Day: Oyo Seeks Stakeholders’ Support to End Open Defecation!

World Toilet Day: Oyo Seeks Stakeholders’ Support to End Open Defecation!

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

In observance of World Toilet Day on November 19, the Oyo State Government, in partnership with UNICEF, has issued a renewed call for stakeholders—including traditional rulers, community groups, private sector actors and development partners—to rally behind efforts to eradicate open defecation and advance safe sanitation across the state.

“End open defecation, and you restore dignity, health and safety for all,” a government official said during the event.

Key Details:

• Recent data indicate roughly 4.3 million people in Oyo still practise open defecation, while 5.6 million lack access to decent toilets. [1]
• UNICEF and OyoRUWASSA have partnered to certify wards and LGAs as Open Defecation‑Free; so far, 8 wards have been declared ODF. [2]
• The state’s roadmap targets elimination of open defecation by 2028, supported by community‑based programmes, toilet construction drives and hygiene education campaigns. [3]

Why It Matters:

• Unsafe sanitation fuels disease outbreaks, especially among women and children, and undermines educational outcomes.
• Achieving ODF status supports Nigeria’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation for all).
• Localised success stories demonstrate the power of community leadership and partnerships in addressing national sanitation challenges.

What to Watch:

• Expansion of Community‑Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) programmes across remaining LGAs in Oyo.
• New funding or private‑sector partnerships to accelerate toilet infrastructure and behaviour‑change campaigns.
• Monitoring and validation of additional wards and LGAs as ODF ahead of the 2028 target. Citations:

1. Tribune Online: tribuneonlineng.com/4-3-million-people-defecate-openly-in-oyo-unicef/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. Leadership News: leadership.ng/world-toilet-day-unicef-declares-8-oyo-wards-open-defecation-free/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. Oyo State Government: oyostate.gov.ng/open-defecation-oyo-vows-to-set-pace-in-ending-menace-before-2025/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
4. Vanguard: www.vanguardngr.com/2025/11/toilet-by-toilet-nigeria-battles-to-end-open-defecation?utm_source=chatgpt.com
5. Vanguard: www.vanguardngr.com/2025/11/from-short-put-to-sanitation-success-oyo-community-leads-amid-national-wash-crisis?utm_source=chatgpt.com
6. New Telegraph: newtelegraphng.com/world-toilet-day-unicef-declares-eight-wards-open-defecation-free-in-oyo/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

About The Author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

editor

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Editor-in-Chief of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.

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