As the world celebrates this year’s World Toilet Day, the Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN) has demanded strict enforcement of anti-open defecation policies.
PPSN also called for alignment with the National Roadmap to End Open Defecation by 2025.
The Society stated these in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Chairman of its Communication Committee, Dr Tajudeen Olusegun Uthman in commemoration of the 2025 World Toilet Day with the theme, “Accelerating Change: Sanitation for a Healthier Future.”
According to the PPSN, the persistent practice of open defecation, particularly in the rural and peri-urban communities remained one of the most pressing public health concerns.
The Society noted that open defecation not only contaminates the environment and water sources, but also drives the continued transmission of parasitic infections, including “soil-transmitted helminths, schistosomiasis and diarrhoeal diseases. Children, women and rural populations remain disproportionately affected, underscoring the need for stronger multi-sectoral collaboration.”
The statement added, “As a professional body dedicated to parasitology and public health, PPSN emphasises that ending open defecation and ensuring equitable access to sanitation are essential for reducing Nigeria’s burden of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and achieving national health goals.
“Sanitation is central to human dignity, disease prevention and sustainable development. Yet, millions of Nigerians still lack access to safe, functional and hygienic toilet facilities.”
PPSN therefore called for other measures to tackle the menace, including accelerated investment in sanitation infrastructure and maintenance, especially in underserved communities.
It also advocated community-led behaviour change programmes that promote consistent toilet use and hygiene practices.
The Society further advised that there should be increased hygiene education, particularly in schools, markets and informal settlements, while partnerships should also be forged across health, environment, water resources and education sectors to ensure a comprehensive and sustainable approach to sanitation.
The statement further noted that this year’s theme, “Accelerating Change: Sanitation for a Healthier Future,” presented a renewed call to action for individuals, communities, institutions and government to address the urgent sanitation and public health challenges facing Nigeria.
PPSN, however, expressed commitment to working with government agencies, NGOs, development partners and communities to foster environments where parasites cannot thrive and where every Nigerian can live in dignity, safety and good health.
“On this World Toilet Day, the Society calls for renewed national commitment to sanitation equity and for all stakeholders to intensify efforts to eliminate open defecation and improve public health outcomes,” the PPSN statement concluded.
