Reckitt Nigeria Inaugurates Modular Sanitation Facility in Lagos to Combat WASH Crisis
Reckitt Nigeria has officially launched a modular public sanitation facility in Lagos, designed to strengthen Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services across the state. This initiative comes amid a severe nationwide sanitation crisis, where an estimated 179 million Nigerians lack access to basic sanitation, and approximately 46 million still practice open defecation, highlighting an urgent need for innovative solutions.
Addressing Lagos's Sanitation Challenges
The new facility, located in Abule-Egba, is expected to serve more than 30,000 commuters each month, providing a critical response to the sanitation deficit in Lagos. According to Reckitt, about 70% of Lagos residents do not have access to safely managed sanitation services, while 65% lack basic hygiene services, underscoring the severity of the issue in Nigeria's most populous city.
Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh, Head of External Communications, Media and Partnerships for Reckitt West and East Africa, emphasized that the facility was commissioned against this backdrop of worsening sanitation challenges. She noted that the modular design features a biodegradable waterless sanitation system, allowing for easy replication in other communities to scale impact effectively.
Empowering Local Entrepreneurs Through the Catalyst Programme
The facility was delivered by MN Environmental Services, one of four health and hygiene enterprises selected from the 2025 cohort of the Reckitt Catalyst programme. This five-year global initiative aims to expand access to health and hygiene solutions by supporting innovative local enterprises. Since its launch in Nigeria in 2023, the programme has supported 10 social entrepreneurs, provided mentorship and business training, and disbursed over N85 million in seed funding.
Uzo-Ogbugh highlighted that the Catalyst programme places special focus on female and underrepresented founders to create equitable opportunities for entrepreneurs facing systemic barriers. Participants also gain access to a global network across the health, hygiene, and WASH sectors, helping them scale sustainable solutions and drive community-based change.
Collaborative Efforts for Sustainable Impact
Speaking at the commissioning event, Uzo-Ogbugh described the facility as evidence of effective collaboration between government, private sector actors, and local enterprises. She stressed that the most effective way to create change in underserved communities is to empower people within those communities who understand the challenges and can design appropriate solutions.
Jife Williams, Co-founder of MN Environmental Services, echoed this sentiment, stating that access to clean and safe sanitation is a fundamental human right. She explained that the facility was built to provide a hygienic, accessible, and well-managed environment for users, with separate toilet and shower facilities for men and women to ensure privacy and hygiene.
Williams added that the project was implemented through a Public-Private Partnership with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, emphasizing that no single organization can address such challenges alone. She noted that coordinated action across sectors is essential for sustainability, and the company is committed to ensuring proper maintenance of the centre to serve the community effectively.
Commitment to Public Health and Hygiene
Through its flagship brand Harpic, Reckitt remains committed to expanding sanitation and hygiene access, reducing open defecation, and improving public health outcomes in Nigeria. Uzo-Ogbugh stated that the successful commissioning marks an important milestone for the Catalyst programme in Nigeria, demonstrating that targeted local investment, supported by global health goals, can deliver lasting community impact.
This initiative not only addresses immediate sanitation needs but also sets a precedent for scalable, community-driven solutions in the fight against Nigeria's WASH crisis, fostering a healthier and more hygienic environment for all residents.
