Nasarawa State government deploys mobile toilets to combat open defecation

The Nasarawa State Government in Nigeria introduced mobile toilets to be distributed across 13 local government areas to address the rise of open defecation.

Margaret Elayo, the state commissioner for Environment, Solid Minerals and Mining, announced the initiative during a media briefing before World Toilet Day. The government aims to eliminate the practice as a public health emergency that leads to preventable waterborne diseases.

The state administration plans to work with local governments, traditional rulers, and community leaders to certify communities as free from open defecation. The government intends to build clean public toilets in markets, motor parks, schools, and health centers. These facilities will include specific designs to accommodate women, children, and persons with disabilities. Elayo stated that the move follows a policy by Governor Abdullahi Sule to prioritize sanitation and protect water sources.

She urged schools and teachers to focus on hygiene education and maintenance. The initiative specifically aims to protect schoolgirls who might otherwise face safety risks by waiting until nightfall to find a private place to use the bathroom.