TODAY IN HISTORY | WORLD TOILET DAY

2025 World Toilet Day: A Call for Sanitation in a Changing World

World Toilet Day 2025, observed globally on November 19, arrives with a renewed urgency and a powerful theme: “Sanitation in a Changing World.”

This year’s campaign, titled “We’ll Always Need the Toilet,” underscores a universal truth, no matter how the world evolves, the need for safe, accessible, and sustainable sanitation remains constant.

As climate change, population growth, and urbanization reshape our societies, the call to action is louder than ever: we must future-proof our sanitation systems to protect human dignity, health, and the environment.

The day, established by the United Nations and coordinated by UN-Water, serves as a stark reminder that 3.4 billion people still live without safely managed sanitation services, and 354 million people continue to practice open defecation.

These figures are not just statistics, they represent lives at risk, particularly those of women, girls, and children under five, who are disproportionately affected by unsafe sanitation. Every day, 1,000 children under five die from diseases linked to poor water, sanitation, and hygiene.

This year’s theme is especially poignant in the face of mounting global challenges. Ageing infrastructure, inadequate investment, and the escalating impacts of climate change, such as floods and droughts, are threatening sanitation systems worldwide.

The 2025 campaign urges governments, organizations, and individuals to recognize that toilets are not luxuries but essential infrastructure. They are the frontline defense against disease, a cornerstone of public health, and a basic human right.

World Toilet Day 2025 also highlights the critical role of sanitation in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6): ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

With just five years left to meet this target, the campaign calls for accelerated action, innovation, and investment. It challenges policymakers to prioritize sanitation in national agendas, encourages communities to break taboos around toilet talk, and inspires youth to become advocates for change.

In countries like Nigeria, where access to safe toilets remains a pressing issue, World Toilet Day is a moment to reflect on progress and recommit to action. Government initiatives, such as the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet campaign, have made strides in reducing open defecation, but much work remains. The 2025 observance is a rallying cry to scale up efforts, especially in rural and underserved urban areas.

Ultimately, World Toilet Day is not just about toilets, it’s about dignity, equity, and the future of our planet. As we navigate an increasingly complex world, the message is clear: we must build sanitation systems that are resilient, inclusive, and ready for whatever lies ahead. Because no matter the changes we face, we’ll always need the toilet.

Nigeria is tackling sanitation challenges through targeted subsidies, national campaigns, and community-led efforts, but over 45 million people still practice open defecation. Individuals can support World Toilet Day by advocating for sanitation, promoting hygiene education, and participating in local clean-up and awareness events.

Nigeria’s sanitation crisis remains one of the most pressing public health challenges in the country. As of 2025, over 45 million Nigerians still practice open defecation, a figure that underscores the slow progress despite years of national campaigns.

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Environment, has reiterated its commitment to ending open defecation by 2025, aligning with the goals of the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet initiative. However, the scale of the challenge demands more than policy, it requires grassroots mobilization, infrastructure investment, and behavioral change.

One innovative approach gaining traction is the use of sanitation vouchers, piloted by UNICEF and USAID in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states. These vouchers provide smart subsidies to Nigeria’s poorest households, enabling them to co-invest in toilet construction and sanitation upgrades.

The pilot showed promising results: open defecation rates dropped, health outcomes improved, and community ownership of sanitation solutions strengthened. This model is now being considered for broader implementation across other vulnerable regions.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has also emphasized the economic potential of sanitation, projecting Nigeria’s sanitation economy to reach $14.23 billion by 2030. This includes opportunities in toilet construction, waste management, and hygiene product manufacturing, sectors that can create jobs while improving public health.

For individuals, supporting World Toilet Day and sanitation efforts can take many forms. Advocacy is key: speaking up about the importance of toilets and hygiene can help break cultural taboos and influence policy.

Education is equally vital, teaching children and communities about handwashing, safe waste disposal, and the health risks of poor sanitation can drive long-term change.

Participating in local clean-up drives, organizing awareness campaigns, and supporting NGOs working in sanitation are practical ways to contribute.

Social media also offers a powerful platform. By sharing facts, stories, and campaign messages, individuals can amplify the reach of World Toilet Day and inspire others to act.

Even small gestures, like ensuring your household has a clean, functional toilet, can ripple outward, setting examples and shifting norms.

Sanitation is everyone’s business. As Nigeria continues its journey toward ending open defecation and achieving universal toilet access, the role of individuals cannot be overstated.

Toilets protect health, uphold dignity, and build resilient communities. 

On World Toilet Day and beyond, every action counts.