Rethinking sanitation and access to WASH in Nigeria.

Some things are unimaginable if you haven’t lived in certain parts of the world. For example, this is Lagos, Nigeria’s economic power house, it is looking beautiful until you look beyond the yellow buses, blue pedestrian bridge and lush green. Zooming in on those brown spots in the median, you’ll realize that they are not flowers, nor any aesthetic feature you might imagine. Actually, those brown spots are things eyes are not meant to see. No thanks to people who are unable to mind their business in the ways that they should.

In parts of Europe – whether you lived there or visited, it is common to see people walking their dogs with little polythene bags, ready to carefully clean up after their friendly paws. This makes sense and it is only proper to be mindful that no unpleasant sight is left for those coming behind or using the area in other ways. How can it be imagined that hundreds, maybe thousands, of people will relieve themselves right in the middle of the road?

Well, beyond highlighting how different worldviews are formed and how we evaluate the things we encounter; I reflect on two other points, trying to delve into the political aspect.

First, almost half of the world still lacks access to safe drinking water, basic toilets and good hygiene. Understanding that many people who do their business in public are conscious of this execrable act, but often seem constrained by the limited options or lack of access to decent wash facilities. Simply put, knowledge about WASH is not enough if complementary WASH infrastructure are missing.

Second, the work of storytellers and visual communicators (like Mayowa) remains relevant in drawing the attention of the right people to solve social issues, and in ensuring public compliance or co-development of our mutually shared environment.

Image credit: Mayowa Adebote/Climagraphy (2024)