Nigeria
Capital:
Abuja
Population:
218.5 million
Area:
923,768
km2

Few places are as diverse as Nigeria. Known around the world for its fashion, music, food and film, it is the most densely populated country in Africa. Home to more than 218 million people, it buzzes with the customs and languages of more than 500 ethnic groups.

Nigeria’s economy is driven by oil. This has helped it grow from a developing country to lower-middle-income status, although fluctuations in global oil prices make progress unstable.

Despite this, Nigeria has made solid progress in reaching people with water services  four in five people now have clean water close to home. But with less than half the population having a decent toilet of their own, the country has a big task ahead of it to install the right sanitation systems.

We are working with the Government as it renews its efforts to reach the people who are most in need of these essential services. And powerful voices are helping us – from women and young people to traditional and religious institutions.

Together, we will bring about lasting change across the whole country, not just in villages and local communities. Lasting change in millions of people’s lives.

people don't have clean water close to home.

That's one in five people.

people don't have a decent toilet of their own.

That's just over half the population.

children under the age of five die ever year from diarrhoea

caused by dirty water, poor toilets and no hygiene facilities.

Nowhere better to go

The Ajeromi-Ifelodun slum in Lagos is one of many where no running water or sewage system exists for people like Modinatu. Across the country, millions of people have no choice but to go to the toilet in the open.

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Image: WaterAid/Tom Saater

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