JAAN and JICA Partner to End Open Defecation in FCT Area Councils by 2027

The Japan Alumni Association in Nigeria (JAAN) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are collaborating to eliminate open defecation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils by 2027. This commitment was reaffirmed during a workshop titled "Danger of Open Defecation" where stakeholders identified capacity gaps and weak community participation as major challenges.

Mr. Ahm Agberankh of JAAN highlighted the persistence of open defecation in Abuja's peri-urban and rural communities despite the city's status.

The partnership aims to leverage JAAN's technical expertise to implement community-driven sanitation programs and achieve ODF status in the six area councils by 2027. JICA's Chief Representative, Mr.

Ishigam Keiji, emphasized the importance of sanitation for public health and sustainable development. The Director of FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Mr.

Abigail Ekpensi, acknowledged the need for increased collaboration at the area council level to strengthen efforts to end open defecation. Previous collaborations between JICA and RUWASSA have resulted in community-led total sanitation programs in the Bwari Area Council.

The initiative seeks to replicate successful sanitation models across Nigeria in alignment with the Clean Nigeria campaign.