Reckitt Catalyst Programme Drives Local Sanitation Impact in Nigeria
Reckitt Nigeria has announced the commissioning of a new public sanitation facility in Abule Egba, Lagos, marking a significant step in addressing the country's sanitation challenges. The facility was built by MN Environmental Services, one of four health and hygiene enterprises in Nigeria from the 2025 cohort of the Reckitt Catalyst programme.
Addressing Critical Sanitation Needs
The newly commissioned facility is designed to serve over 30,000 commuters monthly, bringing essential Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure to one of Lagos' busiest transit corridors. This initiative comes at a crucial time as Nigeria faces a sanitation crisis of significant scale.
Over 179 million Nigerians currently lack access to basic sanitation, with an estimated 46 million people still practising open defecation. In Lagos, the country's most populous city, the challenge is particularly acute: 70% of residents lack access to safely managed sanitation, while 65% lack basic hygiene services.
The Reckitt Catalyst Programme
Reckitt Catalyst is a five-year global programme launched to accelerate access to health and hygiene solutions worldwide. Since 2023 in Nigeria, the programme has:
- Supported 10 social entrepreneurs
- Provided comprehensive mentorship and business training
- Distributed over N85 million in seed funding
The initiative places special emphasis on supporting female and underrepresented founders, ensuring equitable opportunities for entrepreneurs who face systemic barriers in the ecosystem. Entrepreneurs in the programme also join a global community of practice across health, hygiene, and WASH sectors, gaining visibility and credibility for sustainable growth.
Sustainable Design and Features
The Abule Egba facility offers a practical and scalable response to Nigeria's sanitation realities. Built with sustainability at its core, the facility features:
- A biodegradable waterless sanitation system
- A modular design for flexible deployment across communities
- Separate male and female toilets and shower facilities
Leadership Perspectives
Speaking at the commissioning event, Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh, Head of External Communications, Media and Partnerships for Reckitt West and East Africa, emphasized the programme's community-focused approach: "We launched the Reckitt Catalyst Programme to see projects exactly like this come to life. The fastest and most effective way to bring impact to underserved communities is to empower the people within those communities, those who understand the problem and know what solutions need to look like."
Uzo-Ogbugh added: "Through our power brand Harpic, Reckitt remains committed to expanding sanitation and hygiene access, reducing open defecation, and improving the lives of Nigerians. This facility is proof of what becomes possible when government, corporates, and local enterprises collaborate."
Jife Williams, Co-founder of MN Environmental Services, highlighted the fundamental importance of sanitation: "Access to clean and safe sanitation is a fundamental human right. This facility has been designed to provide a hygienic, accessible, and well‑managed environment for all users, and we are committed to ensuring its sustainability and proper maintenance."
Cross-Sector Collaboration
The project was delivered through a Public‑Private Partnership with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), demonstrating the importance of collaborative approaches to addressing complex challenges. Williams noted: "There is no organisation, government agency or institution that can fight these challenges alone. It requires collaboration across all sectors."
Community and Government Support
The commissioning event was witnessed by state dignitaries and community stakeholders, including:
- Dr Hassan Sanuth, Director of Sanitation Services, Lagos State Ministry of Environmental Services & Water Resources
- Hon Abiodun Ishola Ejigbadero, the Executive Chairman of Agbado Oke Odo Local Council Development Area, represented by his Vice Chairman, Hon Shobayo Kehinde
- Other members of the Abule Egba community
A Model for Future Impact
The successful commissioning marks a meaningful milestone for the Reckitt Catalyst programme in Nigeria, demonstrating that targeted, locally rooted investment, guided by global health goals, represents an underutilized but highly effective model for driving lasting community impact. As Nigeria continues to grapple with sanitation challenges, initiatives like the Reckitt Catalyst programme offer scalable solutions that combine international expertise with local implementation.
