announced that through collective efforts, 26 out of our 44 Local government areas in the state have already been certified as Open Defecation Free. ( ODF)
We are accelerating action in the remaining 18 LGAs, particularly in urban centers where sanitation challenges are more complex. the state government said
This was just as the state government added that a , recent UNICEF data shows that Kano has brought down the prevalence of open defecation to less than 2%—a figure that ranks among the lowest in northern Nigeria.
Making this known on Thursday,the state deputy governor Comrade Abdulsalam Gwarzo while speaking on behalf of governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf at a program tagged ” on the progress and commitment towards a fully Open Defecation Free ( ODF) Kano state
Our target is bold but achievable: to make Kano State 100% Open Defecation Free by 2026, in sha Allah.
With the full commitment of our local councils, and with the strong will of our people, we are confident that we will reach every household, every school, and every market
Comrade Gwarzo said”It gives me great pride and a deep sense of responsibility to address you today on one of the most transformative public health campaigns in our dear state—the drive to make Kano State Open Defecation Free (ODF)”
As we are all aware, the practice of open defecation—though long tolerated in many communities—is one of the greatest threats to public health, dignity, and the environment.
According to him” It contributes to the spread of diseases like cholera and typhoid, endangers our water sources, and undermines the wellbeing of our children and women”
This progress represents more than half of the state and is the result of years of collaboration, planning, and community mobilization
Our progress is no accident. It is a product of strong leadership, clear vision, and bold action.
Under the directive of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, we have launched a massive statewide sanitation intervention, with the following key pillars:
Let me especially recognize the role of UNICEF, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, and our dedicated partners in the WASH sector, for their tireless support in implementing the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) model. Through their expertise and commitment, our people have not only gained access to toilets—but more importantly, they have embraced behavior change.
He stated that the steps taken in this move to tackle open Defecation are” construction of public and household toilets and boreholes across all 44 LGAs.
Others are engagement of traditional rulers, religious leaders, and women’s groups as champions of hygiene.
These efforts are designed not just to achieve compliance, but to transform lives.
In areas like Dawakin Tofa, Ungogo, and Rano, we have seen firsthand how proper sanitation leads to reduced disease outbreaks, improved school attendance, and restored community pride.
Speaking at the occasion,the Minister of water resources and sanitation Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev said that ” On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, I sincerely extend our deep appreciation to Your Excellency for the unwavering support and commitment to water, sanitation and hygiene improvements in Kano State.”
The significant milestone achieved, having declared 26 Local Government Areas Open Defecation Free (ODF) out of the 44, placed the State among the top-performing States in Nigeria.
.I wish to especially acknowledge the invaluable support of our development partners, notably UNICEF, whose consistent technical and financial assistance has played a fundamental role in accelerating sanitation progress in Kano State.
We also appreciate the contributions of other partners like WaterAid, Self Help Africa, SATO, NEWSAN, and civil society organizations, who have been working at the community level to trigger behavioural change, support WASH infrastructure, and strengthen local systems.
“At this point, the State Government is expected to embark on another phase of commitment to accelerate its efforts in delivering the remaining non-compliant 18 LGAs, which could ultimately position Kano State to a fully ODF status.”he said