The United Nations Children’s Fund has stated that poor sanitation and open defecation can negatively impact students’ academic performance and lead to absenteeism.
Speaking on Thursday at a two-day media dialogue on “Ending Open Defecation in Nigeria and the Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases,” UNICEF WASH Specialist, Chisom Adimora, explained that the lack of toilets forces children to engage in open defecation, exposing them, particularly girls, to dangers such as rape and attacks, which in turn affects their academic performance.
The dialogue, which was organised by Oyo Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency in collaboration with UNICEF, drew journalists from the southwest states, officials from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, and stakeholders from the private sector, also had a sub-title, ‘For every child, equal access to equitable and safely managed water sanitation and hygiene at home and public places,’ took place in Lekki, Lagos.
She said, “Poor access to sanitation facilities in schools significantly negatively impacts students’ well-being and education. When schools lack toilets, children are forced to defecate openly, often in bushes, which exposes them to potential dangers, including rape or attacks, particularly for girls. During menstruation, the absence of proper sanitation facilities can prevent girls from attending school, as they are unable to maintain hygiene, further hindering their education.
“This lack of sanitation disrupts school attendance and affects academic performance. Missing classes regularly due to poor hygiene management can lead to high dropout rates. Additionally, open defecation increases the risk of diseases such as diarrhea, which further jeopardises students’ health and attendance.
“Schools need to ensure adequate sanitation infrastructure and integrate sanitation education into their curricula. Teaching children about proper hygiene and the causes of diseases like diarrhea can empower them to share this knowledge with others, contributing to healthier communities and improved school attendance.”
Sanitation and Hygiene Manager, WaterAid, Mr Dare Oduluyi, added that female students were particularly vulnerable to the negative outcomes of open defecation, as they were more prone to infections and other forms of attack.
“Poor sanitation can severely impact education, particularly for girls. If a girl is raped while defecating in the open, whether at school or elsewhere, she may be unable to attend school for a period. Additionally, girls who unexpectedly get their periods and lack access to toilets or proper hygiene facilities often face embarrassment and teasing, which can drive them away from school.”
Popular musician, Aituaje Iruobe, popularly known as Waje, suggested that privileged communities could adopt less-privileged ones by providing boreholes for clean water and supporting children’s access to proper hygiene and sanitation. She emphasised the need for community-driven initiatives, “We need to understand community leadership, where impoverished communities around us can be assisted with basic amenities, like providing them with boreholes.”
Earlier, UNICEF’s Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Jane Bevan, said that the partnership was essential to bring the campaign to every corner of the country.
While highlighting the dangers associated with open defecation, Bevan noted that NTDs, which were caused by bacterial infections, should not be overlooked, stressing that proper defecation practices could help prevent such diseases.
She said, “We can’t do this alone; we want Nigeria to be open defecation-free. We need everyone on board the government, private sector, banks, and people from all walks of life.
“The media plays a huge role in publicising this accurately. It was mentioned yesterday that the campaign in India was successful because people heard about open defecation everywhere in the media, schools, and hospitals.
“To achieve the same impact in Nigeria, we need to put it in people’s minds that defecation should only take place in toilets.”
Senior Director at The End Fund, Oyetola Oduyemi, urged parents to practice good hygiene to help keep their children safe and healthy.
She noted that poor hygiene practices could lead to the spread of diseases, saying parents should instill sanitation practices in their children to protect them from waterborne illnesses and infections. Additionally, she highlighted the role of parents in fostering a clean and safe environment both at home and in their communities.
Oduyemi advised, “Do not drink water if you’re unsure of its source.”