As Nigerians head to the polls on February 25, they will be focused on crucial issues like inflation, security concerns, and fuel and cash shortages. The hotly contested federal election will shape the future of Africa's most populous country and largest economy, with an impact that extends far beyond the country’s borders.
However, the Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), a national non-governmental network, believes one key issue is missing from the political discourse – equal access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene for all Nigerians. As a result, the organization’s leaders have hit the campaign trail, meeting with candidates and lobbying for human rights.
We need to ensure that whoever wins makes water, sanitation and hygiene a priority.
Nigeria is making progress in improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene services to its population, with 75 per cent of Nigerians having access to basic drinking water services – up from 70 per cent in 2019. Access to sanitation (toilet and handwashing facilities) has also increased modestly, from 44 per cent to 46 per cent over the same period. The presidential declaration in 2018 on the state of emergency in water, sanitation and hygiene and the launch of the National Plan of Action demonstrated the needed political will for the sector.
The progress is positive, but Benson acknowledges they still have a long way to go. Approximately 48 million Nigerians still defecate in the open, while only 8 per cent of the population practices safe handwashing. Twenty-three per cent of Nigerians lack access to basic water supply.
Despite Nigeria’s economic gains – including a thriving tech community – unequal access to water and sanitation services is blocking women and girls from education and careers, and entrenching communities deeper into poverty. Poor access to water, sanitation and hygiene services is the major cause of diarrheal morbidity and mortality in Nigeria and is associated with at least 70,000 deaths in children under five each year. Last year, after a series of devastating floods, Nigeria reported over 23,000 cases of cholera – a disease spread by contaminated water supplies.
“Public institutions – particularly educational institutions – need to have suitable facilities for both men and women. Hospitals need washing facilities to prevent disease. There are hospitals without toilets for patients and caregivers, resulting in Nigeria losing about 1.3 per cent (N455 billion) of its GDP annually, due to poor sanitation,” Benson said.
With SWA’s support, NEWSAN – which coordinates 300 civil society and community-based organizations within its network – is seeking to conquer these challenges through a “WASH Charter of Demands.” The charter asks political leaders to commit to upholding the human rights to water and sanitation by ensuring political prioritization and investment and working on policy and legislative reforms. It also advocates the needs of marginalized communities, like youth, women, the elderly and individuals with disabilities, in line with SWA’s global social justice campaign.
The charter was drafted during a stakeholder forum that collected inputs from government ministries, development partners, civil society and women’s organizations and individuals with disabilities.
Benson hopes the charter and the associated advocacy efforts will demonstrate that other political priorities – like economic growth, sustainable development, and peace and security – cannot be achieved without water and sanitation.
Because state elections will also be held later this year, NEWSAN has been disseminating this charter to government leaders across the country, from presidential candidates to local officials.
According to Benson, this is crucial, because although there has been increasing interest in accelerating access to water and sanitation at the national level, political prioritization has not always trickled down to local governments. “This is where the country has faced many problems with policy implementation,” he said.
“Many government leaders are surprised to hear that water and sanitation are human rights. When we engage with authorities, we tell them they need to provide an enabling environment for the provision of these services,” Benson added.
In addition to disseminating over 400 copies of the charter and meeting physically with government leaders, NEWSAN launched a social media campaign with plans to engage 24,000 people. They’ve also hosted press conferences and made appearances on radio shows.
NEWSAN is determined to get support from all 774 local governments, but to do so will require more resources. “We need all the support we can get.”
Benson’s recommendation to other civil society organizations seeking to engage with political leaders on water and sanitation is to commit to long term engagement. “You have to get to the point where you can have an audience with them and get them to listen when you speak to them,” he said.
We also recognize that the sector often lacks the financial resources to achieve its goals. So we keep encouraging political leaders to engage at whatever level, whenever they have the opportunity.
To read NEWSAN’s WASH Charter of Demands, click here.
