Key points
- Save the Children International says more than 161 million Nigerians lack access to safe water.
- About 70 per cent of Nigerian children do not have access to basic water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.
- The organisation says inadequate WASH services are exposing children to preventable diseases and poor educational outcomes.
- More than 10 million school children reportedly lack basic sanitation facilities in schools.
- The group has called for increased government funding and stronger investments in the WASH sector.
Main Story
Save the Children International (SCI) has warned that more than 161 million Nigerians lack access to safe water, exposing millions of children to preventable diseases and limiting their opportunities for healthy growth and development.
The organisation made the disclosure in a statement issued on Wednesday to commemorate the 2026 Day of the African Child, themed, “Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child in Africa.” SCI said approximately 70 per cent of Nigerian children do not have access to basic water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, describing the situation as a major obstacle to child health, education and wellbeing.
According to the organisation, only six per cent of healthcare facilities in Nigeria have basic WASH services, while just 26.5 per cent of the population has access to improved drinking water and sanitation services. SCI also noted that more than 10 million school children still lack basic sanitation facilities in their schools, a challenge that continues to affect learning outcomes, particularly among girls.
The organisation warned that inadequate access to clean water and sanitation has left children vulnerable to diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid. It added that diarrhoeal diseases alone claim the lives of more than 70,000 children under the age of five annually. SCI said the situation is particularly severe in rural and underserved communities where many households depend on unsafe water sources and lack access to improved sanitation facilities.
The organisation further stated that about 22 per cent of Nigerians still practise open defecation, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks and environmental contamination. SCI called for stronger collaboration among governments, development partners, communities and the private sector to improve access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services across the country.
The Issues
- Limited access to safe water and sanitation services across Nigeria.
- High exposure of children to preventable waterborne diseases.
- Poor sanitation infrastructure in schools and healthcare facilities.
- Continued practice of open defecation in many communities.
- Inadequate funding and investment in the WASH sector.
What’s Being Said
- SCI Deputy Country Director, Jane Mbagi, said: “As Nigeria joins the rest of the continent to mark the Day of the African Child, the urgency of action has never been clearer.”
- She added: “The theme calls for renewed commitment from governments, development partners and communities to ensure that every child, regardless of where they live, has access to safe, reliable and sustainable WASH services.”
- House Leader of the Katsina State Children’s Parliament, Muhammad Aminu, said: “This is not charity. It is an investment in health, dignity, education and the future of Africa.”
What’s Next
- SCI is urging governments to increase funding for water, sanitation and hygiene programmes.
- Development partners are being encouraged to prioritise long-term investments in WASH infrastructure.
- Communities are expected to intensify efforts to improve hygiene practices and eliminate open defecation.
- Private sector organisations are being called upon to expand access to WASH services through innovation and partnerships.
Bottom Line
Save the Children International says millions of Nigerian children remain at risk due to poor access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services, warning that stronger investment and coordinated action are needed to safeguard their health, education and future.
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