Sodiq Ojuroungbe
As open defecation has become a public health threat in Lagos State, an environmental expert, Lasisi Adedoyin, has urged the state government to tackle the dual challenges of inadequate sanitation infrastructure and deeply entrenched cultural practices that promote the act in the state.
In a detailed call to action paper obtained by PUNCH Healthwise, Adedoyin emphasised that addressing the sanitation crisis requires not only better urban planning and infrastructural development but also a concerted effort to change public attitudes toward hygiene and sanitation.
According to Adedoyin, the persistent problem of open defecation is a direct consequence of systemic failures in urban planning, inadequate provision of public toilets, and the inability to keep up with the rapid growth of Lagos.
The environmentalist, who is also the Coordinator of Eko Enviro Talk TV lamented that despite Lagos being a megacity, its sanitation infrastructure is inadequate to meet the needs of its expanding population.
While noting that the the city’s infrastructure may evolve in many areas, he argued that sanitation has not kept pace with this growth.
“In densely populated areas, particularly informal settlements, people continue to resort to open defecation because they have no other choice,” he said.
Adedoyin pointed out that many parts of Lagos, especially areas around markets, bus stations, and residential neighbourhoods, suffer from a severe lack of accessible and clean public toilet facilities, forcing people to defecate in open spaces.
The situation, according to him, is compounded by the rapidly increasing population of Lagos, which now stands at over 24 million people, with a projected growth of 2 million people annually.
“This population explosion, combined with poor urban planning, creates a recipe for a sanitation disaster,” he warned.
The environment expert explained that the absence of adequate sewage systems and waste management infrastructure, coupled with the prevalence of illegal settlements, worsens the problem.
“Lagos has become a sprawling city with a large percentage of its residents living in slums and informal settlements where there is little to no access to modern sanitation facilities. This means people are forced to improvise, leading to the alarming prevalence of open defecation,” Adedoyin elaborated.
Furthermore, the environmental expert highlighted the dire public health consequences of open defecation.
“Open defecation is a leading cause of diarrheal diseases, cholera, and other waterborne diseases, many of which are fatal. Children are particularly vulnerable, with the World Health Organization estimating that over 122,000 Nigerians die annually from diarrheal diseases alone, a large percentage of them children under the age of five. This is a preventable tragedy, and the practice of open defecation is directly contributing to this loss of life,” Adedoyin explained.
According to him, the absence of basic sanitation facilities in many parts of Lagos is not just a failure of urban planning but a systemic disregard for the health and dignity of the residents, particularly the most vulnerable.
Adedoyin also drew attention to the broader socio-economic implications of poor sanitation.
“Beyond the health impacts, the practice of open defecation also has a detrimental effect on the economy. Poor sanitation leads to lost productivity due to illness, healthcare costs, and the economic burden of cleaning up after open defecation. Nigeria’s economy loses billions every year because of poor sanitation. This is money that could otherwise be used for infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and social services,” he said.
He pointed out that sanitation is not just about building toilets, stressing that it is about creating a sustainable, safe, and dignified environment that supports human flourishing and economic growth.
Adedoyin noted that infrastructure alone cannot solve the problem of open defecation in Lagos.
He emphasised that cultural practices and entrenched behavioural attitudes toward sanitation also played a significant role in perpetuating the practice.
“In many parts of Lagos, open defecation is seen as a normal part of life, especially in informal settlements where residents have limited access to sanitation facilities. Cultural beliefs, lack of awareness about the health risks, and sometimes, deep-rooted religious practices contribute to this behavior. People are simply unaware of the dangers they are exposing themselves and their communities to when they defecate in the open,” Adedoyin observed.
To address this, he stressed that education and behavior change campaigns are crucial.
“There is a need for mass education and awareness campaigns that highlight the risks of open defecation and promote hygienic practices. This involves engaging communities in discussions about the importance of using toilets, the dangers of open defecation, and how it negatively impacts their health, the environment, and the community as a whole. This has to be a community-driven process, where the local people take ownership of their sanitation practices,” he said.
He stated that this type of grassroots engagement will be key in changing attitudes toward open defecation in Lagos.
In addition to public awareness campaigns, Adedoyin called for a coordinated approach involving all stakeholders, including the Lagos state government, private sector, and non-governmental organisations, to tackle the problem.
“The government must take the lead in addressing this crisis. It needs to invest in expanding sanitation infrastructure by building more public toilets in high-density areas, ensuring that they are clean, functional, and accessible to all. Public-private partnerships can play an important role in providing innovative solutions, such as low-cost toilet designs, as well as ensuring regular maintenance and security of these facilities,” he suggested.
He also pointed out the importance of stringent enforcement of existing laws.
“Lagos already has policies and regulations aimed at curbing open defecation, but they are not being properly enforced. People who engage in open defecation must be held accountable for their actions. The government should deploy monitoring teams to ensure that these laws are being followed and to impose penalties for violations. Without strong enforcement, these policies will remain ineffective,” he argued.
Adedoyin also recommended that the government invest in expanding sewage systems to reduce the dependence on open defecation, which has become a coping mechanism for residents in areas lacking functional toilets.
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