The World Toilet Organisation (WTO) has warned that poor sanitation poses a significant threat to Nigeria's blue economy investments. According to the WTO, inadequate sanitation infrastructure could undermine the country's economic ambitions in fisheries, aquaculture, maritime tourism, and coastal livelihoods.
Sanitation as Economic Infrastructure
Speaking on the relationship between sanitation and the blue economy, WTO founder Jack Sim emphasised that Nigeria's blue economy depends on healthy and clean water ecosystems. He stated that without proper sanitation, untreated wastewater and human waste discharged into rivers, lagoons, and coastal waters can destroy aquatic habitats, reduce fish populations, and threaten the livelihoods of millions who rely on these resources.
Sim argued that investments in toilets, wastewater treatment, and faecal sludge management should be viewed not merely as social services but as strategic economic infrastructure capable of driving growth, protecting jobs, and strengthening food security.
Impact on Fisheries and Tourism
Pollution from poor sanitation practices poses significant risks to fisheries and aquaculture, sectors expected to play major roles in Nigeria's blue economy expansion. Cleaner waterways would improve fish stocks, enhance seafood quality, and create a more sustainable environment for aquatic businesses. Beyond fisheries, Sim highlighted the tourism potential of improved sanitation, noting that clean beaches and waterfronts are essential for attracting visitors and private investment.
Public Health and Environmental Protection
The WTO founder also underscored the public health dimension, explaining that better sanitation reduces the prevalence of waterborne diseases, leading to healthier and more productive communities that support maritime trade, fishing activities, and coastal enterprises. Environmental protection remains another compelling reason for prioritising sanitation. Critical ecosystems such as mangroves, wetlands, and estuaries, which serve as fish breeding grounds, natural coastal defences, and climate resilience buffers, are increasingly threatened by pollution from untreated waste.
Call for Policy Action
To secure the future of the blue economy, Sim urged policymakers to prioritise sanitation projects in coastal and riverine communities where waste is often discharged directly into water bodies. He called for expanded access to safe sanitation facilities, stronger faecal sludge management systems, and major investments in wastewater treatment infrastructure to prevent pollutants from reaching rivers and coastal ecosystems.
