UNICEF seeks media support in amplifying children’s voices in Water, Sanitation, Hygiene

UNICEF seeks media support in amplifying children’s voices in Water, Sanitation, Hygiene

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has solicited media support in amplifying the voices of children in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, thus holding governments accountable on their commitments.

Mr Rahama Farah, Chief UNICEF Field Office Kano, made the appeal on Tuesday, at a Media Dialogue on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in Kano and Jigawa States.

According to him, WASH Matters for children, schools and health care facilities, as they play host to substantial number of people of a variety of ages, health status and physical abilities.

These settings he explained, can be centres for rapid spread of diseases, if not adequately provided with WASH facilities.

“Clean water, toilets, and handwashing stations in schools and health centres are lifelines for children’s health, for their learning, and dignity.

“Without them, school absenteeism rises especially for girls and infections spread rapidly, undermining SDG targets for education (4.a) and universal WASH (6.1-6.2),” he said.

He recalled that the Nigeria 2021 WASHNORM II survey, being the most comprehensive recent national assessment, revealed stark challenges in WASH services across institutions like health facilities and schools.

Nationwide, he explained, only 11 per cent of schools have access to basic water supply, sanitation and hygiene services with figures that are even more dire in rural Northwest Nigeria.

“Only 6 per cent of health facilities have access to basic water supply, basic sanitation, and hygiene services in Kano and Jigawa states.

“In both states, the situation mirrors national laws but demands urgent local action, though Jigawa and recently Katsina states, have made strides toward open defecation-free status.

“Handwashing functionality remains low, with states like Jigawa scoring below national averages in school hygiene infrastructure, leaving millions of children exposed to preventable illnesses like diarrhea and cholera.

“In Northwest Nigeria, poor WASH contributes to high child morbidity, robbing kids of safe spaces to thrive,” the UNICEF chief said.

He however disclosed that UNICEF,  with funding support of donors, was supporting the governments to improve WASH services in schools and health facilities.

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He disclosed that in 2025 the UK Government invested 19 million pounds in the Climate Resilient for Basic Infrastructure (CRIBS) Programme, 84 climate-resilient health and education facilities in Kano and Jigawa states.

Farah further explained that the success was recorded through a collaboration between UNICEF, the Federal Government, the UK Government and partners.

He urged the media to utilise its power to drive change through relentless advocacy thus putting spotlight on WASHNORM gaps in Kano and Jigawa states.

The UNICEF chief  also appealed to the media to demand transparency on state budgets, track resource allocations for boreholes, latrines, and soap in health and educational facilities.

He reminded media practitioners of their responsibility in holding governments at all levels accountable in line with the commitments of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.