Open Defecation: Lagos Calls Out Banks, Filling Stations, Others To Open Toilets For Public Use
Lagos State Government has called on banks, filling stations, eateries, and other public businesses to make their restrooms accessible to the public as part of efforts to eliminate open defecation.
Environment and Water Resources Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab made the appeal on X on April 17, 2026, noting that the state currently operates 1,710 public toilets across the city.”Government cannot do this alone,” Wahab stated.
“We are encouraging businesses such as filling stations, banks, eateries, and other public serving offices to make their restrooms accessible to the public where possible.”
The initiative complements Lagos’ ongoing sanitation enforcement, including arrests and prosecutions for open defecation violations. Recent training programs for toilet operators emphasize hygiene standards, waste management compliance, and equitable access, led by facilitators like Sanitarian Cyril Babasope.
Lagos, with over 20 million residents, faces persistent challenges in high-density areas like Agege and Oshodi, where public facility gaps contribute to health risks. The government has deployed anti-open defecation squads and expanded WASH infrastructure, building on partnerships such as the 2025 WaterAid collaboration for 350 additional toilets.
Wahab stressed that private sector involvement will bridge access shortfalls, aligning with national goals for an open defecation-free Nigeria by 2030. Despite progress, around 48 million Nigerians still practice open defecation, threatening sanitation targets. Businesses stand to gain from participation through enhanced community relations and regulatory goodwill.
The commissioner highlighted that collaboration “will significantly complement government efforts,” positioning compliant facilities as key players in Lagos’ cleaner future.This public-private push underscores the role of accessible restrooms in urban hygiene, with enforcement ensuring sustained compliance.
