By: Mukhtar Yahaya Shehu
United Nations Children’s Fund has expressed its satisfaction with the Jigawa state government open defication Free across the state.
The officer in-charge of communication advocacy and partnership section UNICEF Nigeria Ms Susan Akila disclosed this at a Media Dialogue on water sanitation and Hygiene WASH in schools and Healthcare facilities organized by the child right information Bureau CRIB of the federal ministry of information and national orientation in collaboration with UNICEF in Jigawa state.
She said aim for the meeting is to mutually establish the current states of water, sanitation and Hygiene WASH services in schools and primary healthcare centers.
Ms Akila pointed out that, the 2021 survey shows that only 11 % of schools has the basic WASH Facility.
” From the UNICEF perspective, the most category of people are children and women. If we don’t have this basic Facility means the life of children and women were in danger.” She added
Ms. Susan Akila, expressed UNICEF’s satisfaction with its partnership with Jigawa State, noting that the state’s declaration as Open Defecation Free (ODF) demonstrates strong commitment to improving public health outcomes.
Ms. Akila observed that WASH indicators in Nigeria remain poor, especially regarding access to basic facilities in schools and health institutions.
She explained that this challenge informed UNICEF’s decision to engage the media as key partners in driving awareness and accountability towards achieving WASH targets.
She described the engagement as a call to action and commended the Jigawa State Government for its commitment to improving sanitation and hygiene standards.
Ms. Akila also called for the availability of essential hand-washing items in schools and health Facilitates.
Speaking earlier, the chairman state universal basic education board SUBEB professor Haruna Musa said the Jigawa state government is up and doing to ensure boys and girls have the access to Quality basic healthcare delivery across the state.
The SUBEB chairman commended the UNICEF, CRIB for organizing the event, said it’s timely especially at this moment where children needs good care in basic healthcare.
Professor Haruna Musa, described Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) as critical to improving hygiene standards and retaining pupils in schools across the state.
The SUBEB chairman also said the access to clean and functional toilets is a basic hygiene requirement that directly affects pupils’ health, dignity, and regular school attendance.
He explained that this is why SUBEB is giving top priority to the WASH programme in its planning and implementation processes especially in its 2026 budget as approved by the state House of Assembly which signed into law by Governor Umar Namadi
According to him, Jigawa State has a total of 3,345 basic education schools, comprising 2,727 primary schools and 618 junior secondary schools.
Professor Haruna pointed out that the board is currently working on a comprehensive implementation plan aimed at achieving full WASH compliance in all schools.
The SUBEB Chairman further disclosed that the state has a total of 8,689 toilets across its schools, with 6,585 located in primary schools and 2,104 in junior secondary schools.
He stressed that efforts are ongoing to improve both the quality and accessibility of sanitation facilities to meet acceptable hygiene standards.
Also speaking, the Technical Adviser to the Jigawa State Governor, Dr. Hauwa Mustapha, emphasized the importance of WASH programmes, particularly the provision of gender-segregated toilets to ensure privacy, safety, and dignity for female Pupils.
During the Dialogue, a Water, sanitation and Hygiene WASH Consultant UNICEF Nigeria Mr Job Obimini spoke at length on success and challenges in water, sanitation and Hygiene WASH in the country.
Some of the selected Schools and Primary healthcare Centers visits are includes:
-Gadadin Primary School.
-Kuho 744 Primary School.
-Shuwarin Primary School.
-Chamo primary School.
The Healthcare Centers are:
-Andaza Primary healthcare Center, kiyawa.
-Wurma Primary healthcare Center, Dutse.
-Kudan primary healthcare center, Dutse.
-Yina Primary healthcare Center, Dutse.
