Overview

This document is the National Water Sanitation Policy of Nigeria, prepared by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Department of Water Supply and Quality Control. The policy addresses the critical issue of poor sanitation in Nigeria, highlighting its impact on public health, especially through water-related diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, guinea worm, and schistosomiasis. It notes that sanitation has historically received less attention than water supply in Nigeria, often viewed as a private household matter. The policy emphasizes the need for an integrated approach combining sanitation, hygiene practices, and potable water to improve health and quality of life. Data is provided to illustrate the severity of the problem: diarrhoea-related deaths among children under five are estimated at 150,000–200,000 annually; cholera incidence rose 841.58% from 1999 to 2002; typhoid cases increased from 22.38 per 100,000 in 1994 to 77.48 in 2002; guinea worm cases declined from 653,620 in 1987/88 to 1,460 in 2003 but still affect 16 states; and HIV prevalence was 5.0% in 2003, with sanitation affecting the health of people living with HIV. Poor coverage in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas is attributed to factors including lack of awareness, poverty, poor planning, funding, implementation, and absence of clear sanitation policies. The policy aims to define institutional roles across government tiers, the private sector, NGOs, and development partners, as well as community and individual responsibilities and financing mechanisms. It also emphasizes hygiene education and capacity building. The document is the first edition, originally approved in 2000 as part of the National Water Supply and Sanitation Policy, but this version is dated November 2005.

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