The Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO) has raised concerns over inadequate access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in Nigerian schools, citing a 2023 national survey which indicated that nearly 29 million children had no drinking water in their schools.
The organisation called on the Federal Government, state governments and local government authorities to prioritise school water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services through sustainable funding, regular maintenance and stronger accountability mechanisms.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of LAPO’s 33rd Annual Development Forum, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Thursday.
The forum, themed “Safe Water, Healthy Learning: Advancing WASH in Nigerian Schools,” identified poor maintenance, inadequate budgetary provisions and unclear institutional responsibilities as major challenges undermining the sustainability of school WASH facilities.
It warned that the absence of functional toilets, safe water and handwashing facilities exposed pupils to preventable health risks, disrupted learning and compromised their dignity.
The forum also highlighted the disproportionate impact of inadequate sanitation on adolescent girls and children with disabilities, stressing the need for private toilets, menstrual hygiene facilities and accessible infrastructure.
To address the challenges, LAPO urged authorities to designate responsible institutions for WASH services in every public school and provide dedicated funds for the maintenance and repair of facilities.
It also recommended regular inspections, publicly accessible records of facility conditions and stronger community participation in monitoring school WASH services.
The forum stressed that governments and development partners should measure the success of WASH projects by the availability and functionality of facilities rather than the number constructed.
It further called for improved coordination among education authorities, water agencies, school administrators and development partners to ensure effective service delivery.
The communiqué urged stakeholders to integrate WASH facilities into school infrastructure planning and education policies, noting that access to safe water and sanitation was essential to improving school attendance, retention and learning outcomes.
The event was chaired by the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and co-chaired by former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka.
Zainab Ibrahim Budah, a Senior Learning and Development Specialist at the Federal Ministry of Education, presented the keynote paper, while Oladimeji Adeyemi, Head of Education at UNESCO, attended as Special Guest of Honour.
LAPO Founder, Godwin Ehigiamusoe, served as chief host. Other participants included former LAPO Board Chairman, Osaren Emokpae, and National Coordinator of the WASH NGO Network, Benson Attah.
The forum called on governments, development partners, school administrators, parents and communities to work together to ensure that every Nigerian child has access to safe, functional and inclusive water and sanitation facilities.