Oyo State Government’s Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (OYORUWASSA), in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Lagos Field Office, and other partners have called on stakeholders to do more on safe sanitation strategies as critical tools for disease prevention and promotion of environmental protection.
The Chairman of OYORUWASSA, Alhaji Babalola Afobaje, made this known while declaring open an the 2025 World Toilet Day Celebration held at the Local Government Staff Training Crntre ,Secretariat, Ibadan.
Alhaji Afobaje who spoke on this year’s theme: “We’ll Always Need the Toilet”, underscored the enduring importance of safe, functional, and dignified sanitation systems in all communities.
According to him, toilets are not mere facilities but life-saving infrastructure essential for public health, environmental protection, climate resilience,and respect for human dignity.
Alhaji Afobaje also commended UNICEF and other partners for progress so far in driving the Open Defecation Free (ODF) campaign across Oyo State, stressed the need for intensified efforts to deliver climate-resilient sanitation systems and achieve a total end to open defecation by 2028.
Earlier, General Manager, OYORUWASSA, Mr. Adeniyi Adeduntan, noted that access to safe toilets remains a constant necessity, regardless of technological or societal changes.
He explained that sanitation must be firmly integrated into long-term planning, budgeting, infrastructure development, and behavioural change initiatives.
Mr. Adeduntan highlighted the consequences of inadequate or malfunctioning sanitation systems, which often lead to pollution and disease outbreaks.
He noted that women and girls were the most affected through heightened risks of abuse, poor health outcomes, and school absenteeism due to the absence of safe and hygienic toilets.
He emphasized that toilets are a basic human right and form the foundation for public health, gender equality, and sustainable development.
The workshop focused on reviewing the current sanitation and faecal waste management situation in Oyo State, identifying gaps and opportunities, strengthening collaboration among stakeholders and developing actionable strategies to expand toilet access and sustain ODF status across all local government areas.
In a keynote presentation, the Co-founder of Recycledge and Partnership Lead of the Young Water Professionals, Mr. Victor Oyejide and a Sewage Management Expert, Engr. Oladele Fadipe, called for continuous education and awareness on dignified sanitation.
They noted that many schoolgirls missed classes during their menstrual periods due to inadequate WASH facilities.
He urged greater government and private sector investment in innovative sanitation solutions, including mobile and static toilet systems.
He also encouraged the public to adopt safe toilet practices, maintain personal hygiene, and use protective items such as hand sanitizers, soap, and tissue paper.
Mr. Oyejide and Engr. Fadipe, emphasised that sanitation should be viewed not only as a health priority but also as an economic opportunity for innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Participants at the workshop, stakeholders expressed confidence that the discussions and new partnerships formed would accelerate efforts toward achieving an Open Defecation Free Oyo State and improve sustainable faecal sludge management across communities.
