By Glory Akpan
The Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) has called on the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to strengthen grassroots campaigns to improve access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) across Nigeria.
Mr Benson Attah, National Coordinator of NEWSAN, made this call during a courtesy visit to NOA headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
He commended the agency for its longstanding support and responsiveness, noting that NEWSAN had benefited from its outreach platforms, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Describing NOA as a critical partner with extensive grassroots reach, Attah said the agency could complement NEWSAN’s efforts to mobilise rural communities and drive behavioural change.
“We recognise NOA’s unique capacity to reach citizens in all parts of the country, particularly in rural areas where our work is most needed,” he said.
NEWSAN, he explained, is a network of over 300 civil society and non-governmental organisations working to ensure equitable access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services nationwide.
He noted that the organisation has partnered with government institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, as well as private sector actors, to enhance WASH services across the country.
Highlighting persistent challenges, Attah said: “Drinking water coverage in Nigeria stands at about 68 per cent, while safely managed water services are only around 30 per cent.
“Access to basic sanitation is approximately 39 per cent, while safely managed sanitation is as low as 20 per cent. Only 25 per cent of households have access to basic hygiene services”.
He added that Nigeria continues to rank among countries with high rates of open defecation, noting that the country missed an earlier target to become open defecation-free and has extended the goal to 2030.
“About 170 local government areas have achieved open defecation-free status, but much more needs to be done,” he said.
Attah also raised concern over cholera outbreaks during the rainy season, citing reports of about 15,000 cases in one state.
He called for intensified awareness campaigns and urged that gender and persons with disabilities be mainstreamed in WASH interventions.
He further stressed the need for federal and state governments to align for coordinated WASH efforts nationwide.
“NEWSAN wants NOA’s collaboration in promoting the WASH Charter of Demand, which NEWSAN developed to engage political parties, aspirants and public office holders ahead of the 2023 general elections”.
According to him, the charter aims to encourage political leaders to prioritise WASH in governance and development planning.
He also urged NOA to help amplify awareness of Executive Order 009, signed during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, which declared a state of emergency on water, sanitation and hygiene and sought to end open defecation in Nigeria.
“The order has not received sufficient publicity or implementation at sub-national levels,” he added.
Responding, the Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the agency’s nationwide presence positioned it as a key driver of behavioural change campaigns.
He was represented by Mrs Margret Yenami, a Deputy Director.
“With offices in all 774 local government areas, the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and the national headquarters, NOA is strategically placed to reach citizens at the grassroots,” Issa-Onilu said.
He explained that the agency employs traditional and digital media, interpersonal communication and partnerships with influencers to ensure government messages reach every corner of the country.
Issa-Onilu described open defecation as harmful and unacceptable.
“Open defecation is an abuse of the environment and a threat to public health. It is a practice we must collectively work to eliminate through sustained sensitisation and community engagement,” he said.
He linked poor sanitation practices to disease outbreaks, stressing that promoting cleanliness and proper hygiene is essential to safeguarding public health.
He added that while NOA provides structure, platforms and coordination, partners are expected to support programme implementation with the necessary resources in line with government procedures.
He said the agency has about 880 offices nationwide and partnerships with over 190 radio stations, with plans to expand to more than 400.
“NOA also conducts grassroots sensitisation through rallies, town hall meetings, door-to-door engagement, and feedback mechanisms that inform government policies,” he said.
Issa-Onilu emphasised NOA’s role as a bridge between government and citizens, conveying policies while relaying public feedback to improve service delivery.
He reiterated the agency’s readiness to collaborate with NEWSAN to strengthen WASH advocacy nationwide.
Both organisations agreed that stronger collaboration, sustained advocacy, mainstreaming of gender and disability considerations, and improved funding are critical to achieving universal access to WASH in Nigeria. (NAN)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
