Lagos: YouthWASH Initiative Africa has urged all tiers of government to prioritise improving sanitation and eliminating open defecation in Nigeria. The appeal comes as the organisation, in partnership with NYSC and the Clean Nigeria Campaign, prepares to mark the 5th anniversary of the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, YouthWASH Coordinator, Mr. Nature Obiakor, highlighted the crucial role of young people in promoting sustainable sanitation efforts. As Nigeria faces significant public health and environmental challenges due to open defecation, YouthWASH and its partners are focused on empowering the next generation of sanitation leaders. Obiakor stated, “The fight against open defecation requires a united effort, by equipping young people with the tools and platforms to lead, we can create a cleaner and healthier Nigeria.”
He further mentioned that the National YouthWASH Digital Media Hangout, organised to celebrate the campaign’s achievements, is scheduled to run
from November 19 to December 19, 2024. The theme for this event is ‘Youth-Led Digital Action for Sustainable Sanitation’. The campaign will feature a 10-day digital media countdown with daily themes such as ‘The Journey So Far’ and ‘Sanitation and Climate Change’.
Obiakor explained that influencers, youth advocates, and workshops on digital advocacy will drive awareness on social media platforms. The main event will include discussions on key sanitation issues and the official launch of YouthWASH Clubs across NYSC camps and schools. These clubs aim to sustain sanitation advocacy through grassroots engagement and youth leadership.
Post-event, the focus of the campaign will be on maintaining momentum by sharing digital content, monitoring the impact of YouthWASH Clubs, and organising mentorship sessions for young sanitation advocates. According to Obiakor, the initiative’s goals include highlighting the achievements of the Clean Nigeria Campaign in reducing open defecation and leveraging digital platforms to
educate and mobilise young people on sanitation and hygiene.
Obiakor emphasised the importance of youth involvement, stressing that institutionalising sanitation awareness and ongoing training would ensure that young leaders drive lasting change in Nigeria.