The Borno State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has unveiled a strategic roadmap to eliminate open defecation across all 27 local government areas of the state.
Speaking at the launch of the initiative in Maiduguri on Tuesday, Governor Babagana Zulum, represented by his deputy, Umar Kadafur, called on residents to support the campaign and work collectively toward achieving an Open Defecation-Free (ODF) Borno.
Highlighting the administration’s focus on critical sectors such as education, health, transportation, and infrastructure over the past six years, Zulum reaffirmed his commitment to improving the quality of life for residents.
“For six years, despite fiscal challenges, we have remained dedicated to uplifting lives. This campaign is part of our vision for a clean and prosperous Borno,” he said. “I urge every resident to take this initiative back to their communities, spread awareness, and actively participate in ending open defecation.”
The governor also tasked relevant agencies and departments to align their programmes with the ODF agenda, describing the campaign as a legacy that will benefit future generations.
UNICEF Chief of the Maiduguri Field Office, Gerida Birukila, applauded Borno’s proactive measures, noting that the state is among Nigeria’s frontrunners in the fight against open defecation.
“We are proud of Borno’s efforts. Already, two local government areas—Biu and Shani—have achieved open defecation-free certification. To extend this success, we need collective commitment from government, traditional institutions, and the people to drive behavioral change,” Birukila said.
She also emphasized the devastating effects of open defecation on children, citing malnutrition, stunted growth, and diseases such as diarrhea as major concerns.
“It’s not just about providing toilets and water facilities; people need to understand the importance of using these amenities. This is why we are calling for unified action to make this vision a reality,” she added.
James Donoghue, Education Adviser to the British High Commission, praised UNICEF’s impact in Borno, particularly in education.
“We visited schools today and observed significant progress.
Children are excelling in basic literacy and numeracy skills through the Teaching at the Right Level initiative.
Beyond sanitation, UNICEF is ensuring that learning materials are accessible, which is a remarkable achievement,” Donoghue said.
