The Federal Government on Thursday commissioned new smart public toilets at the Orange Market in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, as part of efforts to tackle open defecation and strengthen sanitation across the country.
The facility was inaugurated during the 2025 World Toilet Day commemoration, where officials again raised concern over Nigeria’s low sanitation coverage. Earlier in the week, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, disclosed that only about 25 per cent of Nigerians have access to safely managed sanitation, while more than 45 million people still practice open defecation.
The Director-General of the Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Authority (NASWAMSA), Hon. Muhammad Isah, welcomed dignitaries and praised the Federal Government for its sustained support toward improving sanitation and environmental health in the state. He noted that the smart toilets and an earlier air pollution monitoring facility provided by the Federal Ministry of Environment had significantly boosted community wellbeing.
Isah announced ongoing collaborations with the Ministry on waste-to-energy initiatives and job creation, adding that NASWAMSA secured two suitable sites at Orange Market for the newly commissioned toilets following a request for additional public sanitation facilities between Mararaba and Masaka.
He also expressed appreciation to Dr. Engr. Bahijjahtu Abubakar for her continued support for women and youth-focused environmental initiatives in Nasarawa State.
The Executive Chairman of Karu Local Government Council, Barr. Abubakar Aliyu Madaki, described the project as a major step toward enhancing public health and environmental protection in one of the busiest commercial hubs in the state. He stressed that Orange Market attracts thousands of people daily, making adequate sanitation essential to prevent pollution and disease outbreaks.
Madaki said the new facility represents “an investment in public health, dignity, and environmental protection,” and assured that the council would take full responsibility for its maintenance, security, and proper use. He urged traders and residents to protect the facility from vandalism and ensure it remains clean.
Highlighting recent efforts to improve waste management and environmental monitoring, the chairman reaffirmed the local government’s commitment to continued collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment.
As the event concluded, Madaki called for sustained efforts toward a cleaner and healthier society, saying, “development is meaningful only when it touches the lives of the people directly.” He urged residents to work together for a safer and healthier Karu and Nasarawa State.
