On this year’s World Toilet Day, Harpic, Nigeria’s leading toilet-cleaning brand under Reckitt, reaffirmed its dedication to improving sanitation and hygiene nationwide. The announcement came during activities marking the Day, themed “We Will Always Need the Toilet”, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the Lagos State Government.
According to the United Nations, roughly 3.6 billion people worldwide still lack access to safely managed sanitation. In Nigeria, poor sanitation costs the economy about N455 billion annually. It is also a major contributor to preventable diseases such as cholera and diarrhea.
National Sanitation Conference and Awareness Programmes
This year’s commemoration included several initiatives. These were the inaugural National Sanitation Conference, the sixth anniversary of the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign in Abuja, and a two-day public awareness programme in Lagos. The events aimed to strengthen public-private partnerships. They also encouraged behavioural change and promoted access to clean sanitation facilities across the country.
The National Sanitation Conference brought together government officials, health experts, civil society leaders, and development partners. Participants discussed practical strategies for achieving universal access to safe toilets. The conference ended with an awards ceremony recognizing individuals and organizations championing sanitation and hygiene in Nigeria.
Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Special Adviser to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Development Partners, Inna Binta Audu, highlighted the importance of sanitation.
“Sanitation is not just about infrastructure; it’s about dignity, health, productivity, and the future of our children. A clean Nigeria is a healthy, prosperous, and equitable nation,” she said. She added that accelerating efforts could unlock Nigeria’s $14.23 billion sanitation economy by 2030. Currently, poor sanitation costs the country about $3 billion annually. These losses affect both health and productivity.
Reckitt and Harpic’s Ongoing Role
Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh, Head of External Communications and Partnerships at Reckitt Sub-Saharan Africa, reaffirmed the company’s commitment.
“We are proud to support government initiatives and community programmes to accelerate access to safe sanitation for all Nigerians. Hygienic sanitation is a necessity, not a luxury. It is also a fundamental human right. Harpic remains dedicated to ensuring everyone can access clean toilets, regardless of socio-economic status,” she said.
She added, “When toilets function properly, communities thrive. When they don’t, everyone suffers the consequences.”
Government Support and Local Initiatives
The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE, emphasized the federal government’s commitment to ending open defecation.
“This year’s World Toilet Day reminds us that access to safe sanitation is a right. Our Ministry is committed to ending open defecation and ensuring that every Nigerian can use clean, safe facilities. We commend Reckitt for its ongoing partnership in promoting hygiene awareness,” he said.
Harpic Nigeria received a Private Sector Award from the Clean Nigeria Campaign for its consistent investment and innovation in sanitation.
In Lagos, the programme included an Anti-Open Defecation Sensitisation Walk across the five IBILE divisions. This was followed by a symposium on sustainable sanitation and community-led solutions. Government agencies, environmental experts, civil society groups, and community leaders discussed strategies to address urban sanitation challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, the MD/CEO of the Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency, Mr. Fatiu A. Akiolu, praised Harpic’s efforts.
“Our goal is to make Lagos Open-Defecation-Free by 2030. We want to ensure that all residents have access to safe toilets, regardless of location,” he said. He also noted that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the construction of 20 new public toilet blocks, totaling 200 units in strategic areas across Lagos.
Over the past decade, Harpic has invested in household hygiene education, community awareness, and functional public toilets. These efforts solidify the brand’s role in Nigeria’s push toward an Open-Defecation-Free nation.
