Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa state with the Team Lead, National Task Group on Sanitation monitoring Team
Dutse, April 18, 2025
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa state, has expressed Commitment to sustain Jigawa State’s status of Open Defacation free, which it has attained recently.
Namadi made the commitment on Friday, when he received the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS) monitoring team, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Dutse.
Gov. Namadi stressed that the achievement of ODF status, was no small feat and sustaining it will require even greater effort, resources and innovation.
“The Open Defecation Free (ODF) status we have attained, was not an effortless feat yet sustaining it is even more challenging.
“I want to assure you that the Jigawa State Government, has put in place comprehensive strategies, backed by strong commitment and resources, to ensure the sustainability of our ODF status,” he said.
He however, revealed that the state has established high-level Steering and a Technical Committee, comprising key permanent secretaries and professionals, to monitor the sanitation.
The state he said, has introduced a hygiene programme which underlines the state’s commitment and dedication in maintaining cleanliness and public health standards.
Highlighting some of the concrete interventions made, Namadi announced that the state is constructing toilets in public schools and markets across the state.
Furthermore, he disclosed that there is a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement for the maintenance of market toilets, where private managers are offered subsidies in return for keeping the facilities clean and functional.
This approach, according to him, ensures accountability and preserves the investment in sanitation infrastructure.
“When it is managed by the private sector, they see it as a means of livelihood. They will maintain it better than the government alone,” the Governor revealed.
He assured that Jigawa State will remain a beacon of progress in sanitation, health, and environmental resilience, with other states drawing lessons from its approach.
Governor Namadi then expressed appreciation to the NTGS team for their diligence and commitment, urging them to continue engaging with local communities to deepen the impact of their interventions.
Earlier, the NTGS Team Leader, Mr Benson Attah, commended Jigawa State for achieving the ODF status, describing it as a landmark achievement and a model for other states.
Mr Attah urged the state to maintain this status through consistent policies, community involvement, and infrastructural investments.
The Team Lead also commended the level of political commitment displayed by the Namadi administration, saying that it has created an enabling environment for impactful Water, Sanitation and Hygiene initiatives.
“I would like to commend Your Excellency, for your commitment and the political will you have shown toward the improvement of water, sanitation, and hygiene in the state.
“Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been any need to dispatch members of the National Task Group on Sanitation to a monitor and to assess the sustainability of the Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in your state,” he said.
He pledged continued technical support from development partners, to help Jigawa sustain and build upon its progress.
