Communities across Kano State are recording a significant transformation in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services.
This progress is largely attributed to sustained interventions by Self Help Africa under its WASH Systems for Health (WS4H) programme.
The impact of these initiatives was recently highlighted during a Media Refresher Training and field assessment tour designed to strengthen the role of journalists in advocating for sustainable sanitation practices.
The initiative underscores a growing synergy between development partners, government institutions, and local communities to improve public health outcomes across the state.
Following a comprehensive training session in Kano, Journalists embarked on a field assessment to the Makoda Local Government Area. This region has emerged as a focal point of success, having made substantial progress toward achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in June 2025.
The assessment revealed a marked increase in toilet usage within both schools and private households. This shift reflects a deepening awareness of the health benefits of sanitation and a collective move away from open defecation. To consolidate these gains, officials at both the local and state levels are calling for continued investment.
Stakeholders maintain that this multi-sectoral approach—combining media advocacy with grassroots infrastructure—is the key to expanding safe WASH services to every corner of the state.
There are hopes that Kano State is on track to achieve its Universal Sanitation goals by 2026.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
