LAPO's Faith Negbe Osazuwa-Ojo Reveals WASH Budget Crisis

Faith Negbe Osazuwa-Ojo, President of the Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), stated that only 15 percent of Nigerian schools have allocated funds for the maintenance of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities. This revelation was made during LAPO's 33rd Annual Development Forum in Abuja, where she expressed concerns over the health, dignity, and learning conditions of millions of schoolchildren.

The 2021 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASHNORM) report indicated that only 37 percent of schools had access to basic water supply services, 35 percent had basic sanitation services, and 30 percent provided basic hygiene services. Osazuwa-Ojo emphasized that these figures represent the daily struggles of children who lack clean drinking water and decent toilets.

She called for stronger partnerships and increased investment to ensure schools become safe learning environments. Dr Oyefemi Obazee, Chairperson of the forum, urged government and education authorities to prioritize investments in WASH facilities, highlighting the need for collaboration to address Nigeria's development challenges.