UNICEF ranks Nigeria second in open defecation

The United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, says Nigeria is ranked second among countries practicing open defecation globally.

UNICEF communication specialist, Geoffrey Njoku made the disclosure at a two-day media dialogue in Calabar.

Njoku said findings from the 2018 water sanitation and hygien national outcome routine mapping survey reveals that 24 per cent of the population, about 47 million people, practice open defecation.

He called for behavioural change and policy reform through community dialogue, advocacy and engagement with policy makers.

Njoku explained that it is also important to drive cross sector collaborations especially with the private sector to improve investment in sanitation sector.