By Admin
More than 161 million Nigerians still rely on contaminated water sources even as millions of children are exposed to disease keeping them out of school and undermining their future.
The scale of the problem came into focus as Nigeria joined other African countries to mark the 2026 Day of the African Child on June 16, themed, "Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child in Africa," and drawing attention to a basic need that remains out of reach for many children across the country.
In a statement to commemorate the day, Save the Children International remarked that about seven out of every 10 Nigerian children are deprived of basic water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services even as only 26.5 percent of the population has access to improved drinking water and sanitation facilities, while more than 10 million pupils attend schools without basic sanitation.
“For many families, the daily routine begins with a search for water, and in the rural communities, children often trek long distances to streams, ponds and other unsafe sources. What appears to be a normal part of life can carry serious consequences.
“Unsafe water and poor sanitation continue to fuel outbreaks of diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid. Health experts estimate that more than 70,000 Nigerian children under the age of five die each year from diarrhoeal diseases, many of them linked to poor hygiene, unsafe drinking water and inadequate sanitation.
“In many schools, children learn in environments without functioning toilets or places to wash their hands. Teachers say illnesses associated with poor sanitation contribute to absenteeism, while many adolescent girls miss classes because schools lack facilities that allow them to manage their menstrual hygiene safely and privately.
“The healthcare system faces its own challenges. Only six per cent of health facilities in Nigeria have basic WASH services, raising concerns about infection prevention and patient safety. Despite years of campaigns and investment, open defecation remains widespread. An estimated 22 per cent of Nigerians still practise it, increasing the risk of contamination of water sources and the spread of infectious diseases,” the statement noted.
Deputy Country Director, Save the Children International, Jane Mbagi Mutua said the situation demands urgent attention.
"Millions of children in Nigeria continue to face daily challenges because they lack access to clean water, safe sanitation and proper hygiene facilities. The urgency of action has never been clearer," she said.
According to Mutua, ensuring that every child has access to clean water and sanitation will require stronger commitment from governments, development partners, communities and the private sector.
She noted that children in poor and underserved communities continue to bear the heaviest burden, despite the fact that access to water and sanitation is recognised globally as a basic human right.
“The theme calls for renewed commitment from governments, partners, and communities to ensure that every child, regardless of where they live, has access to safe, reliable, and sustainable WASH services,” Mutua said, noting that to change the story for millions of children, urgent and collective action is needed.
“Government must increase funding and accelerate implementation of national WASH strategies, development partners and donors should prioritise long-term, sustainable WASH investments, and communities must embrace improved hygiene practices and support efforts to end open defecation.”
Further, Mutua said private sector actors can drive innovation and expand access through partnerships.
On his part, House Leader, Katsina State Children's Parliament, Muhammad Aminu said, “Every African child deserves clean water, safe sanitation, and good hygiene. This is not charity. It is an investment in health, dignity, education, and the future of Africa.”
His remarks reflect a growing concern that while access to clean water is often discussed as a development goal, for millions of children it remains an everyday struggle.
Stakeholders called for increased investment in water infrastructure, faster implementation of national WASH policies and greater efforts to end open defecation. They also want communities to play a more active role in promoting hygiene practices that can help prevent disease.
It was agreed that the reality is that millions will return home from school to communities without safe water, toilets or places to wash their hands. For them, the conversation about water and sanitation is not about targets and policies, but about health, safety and the simple chance to grow up without preventable disease.
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