In a major push to improve public health and dignity, the Lagos State government has reaffirmed its commitment to making accessible and sustainable sanitation infrastructure a reality for every resident.
Strengthening Sanitation for a Megacity
The commitment was reiterated by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, during the 2025 World Toilet Day celebration held at the Eko FM Multi-purpose Hall in Ikeja. The commissioner, represented by the Managing Director of the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), Fatiu Akinolu, emphasized that the day serves to highlight the urgent global need for safe sanitation.
The state's primary target is to achieve an Open Defecation Free (ODF) status for Lagos, aligning with the national objective set for the year 2030. The goal is to ensure that every person in Lagos, no matter their location, has access to a clean and safe toilet.
Concrete Actions and New Infrastructure
Moving beyond promises, the government outlined specific actions. The administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has recently approved the construction of an additional 20 public toilet blocks, each containing 10 units. This ambitious project will add 200 new units of public toilets and bathrooms to the existing stock of 1,710 facilities located across strategic areas in the state.
Speaking on the theme, 'We’ll Always Need the Toilet', Wahab explained that it calls for decisive action to protect and expand sanitation access. He cited challenges such as aging infrastructure, rising demand from a growing population, and the effects of climate change.
"In a rapidly changing world, one truth remains constant: we will always rely on sanitation to safeguard our health and maintain a clean environment," the commissioner stated. "Today, we highlight not only the practicalities of sanitation but also its profound impact on human dignity, public health and environmental sustainability."
Strategic Partnerships for a Sanitation Circular Economy
To realize this vision, Lagos is pursuing a multi-pronged approach. The state is crafting stronger regulatory frameworks to enhance service delivery and accountability. It is also actively expanding Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to develop essential sanitation infrastructure in densely-populated areas, schools, and markets, as part of the broader State WASH Policy.
In a significant move, the state is strengthening the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office to improve its capacity for efficient faecal sludge management. A pivotal study on the sanitation circular economy is also underway in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, aimed at identifying opportunities in faecal sludge management.
Other key collaborators include UNICEF, USAID, the World Bank, and the Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (OPS-WASH). These partners are providing technical assistance, capacity development, and innovative financing models to support Lagos's sanitation goals.
Earlier at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji, stressed that access to a safe toilet can save thousands of lives and build the foundation for a more prosperous world. This is especially critical as the United Nations reports that billions globally still lack access to a safe toilet, with women and girls being disproportionately affected.
