The federal government is set to introduce a National Performance Scorecard to assess and rank states’ efforts in achieving an Open Defecation-Free (ODF) Nigeria by 2030.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, announced this on Tuesday in Abuja while declaring open a two-day National Retreat for States on the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet campaign.
According to him, the scorecard will serve as a structured monitoring tool, with states required to report their progress quarterly.
Top-performing states demonstrating exceptional commitment will be rewarded with incentives.
Prof. Utsev urged states to develop clear, time-bound ODF action plans aligned with the revised Clean Nigeria Campaign Implementation Strategy (2025-2030).
He emphasized the need for stronger political commitment and called on implementation teams to intensify efforts toward achieving the national target.
While acknowledging progress since the campaign’s launch in 2019, he highlighted funding and human resource gaps that have hindered implementation at state and local government levels.
He urged states to take deliberate measures to accelerate progress and ensure Nigeria attains ODF status by 2030.
He also called on stakeholders to go beyond rhetoric and commit to real, measurable actions, including: Strengthening monitoring, enforcement, and behaviour change initiatives, increasing investment in public and household sanitation facilities, especially in schools, health centres, and public places
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Prof. Utsev reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to tackling sanitation challenges and improving hygiene practices nationwide. He highlighted several ongoing government initiatives.
Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, represented by Special Assistant on Humanitarian and Development Partners Mrs. Imna Audu, expressed concern that out of Nigeria’s 36 states, only Jigawa State has achieved ODF status.
He called for collective action from state and local governments, as well as development partners, to change the narrative.
Speaking at the event, UNICEF’s Chief of WASH, Jene Bevan, emphasized that the 2030 Clean Nigeria Campaign revised strategy provides an opportunity for all levels of government and stakeholders to intensify efforts toward meeting the target.
Jigawa State’s Commissioner for Water Resources and Sanitation, Mohammed Saidu, who spoke on behalf of his counterparts from across the country, pledged that states must work harder to end open defecation.
