UNICAL partners UNICEF to eliminate open defecation on campus

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

The University of Calabar and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have launched a campus-wide rally to end open defecation, citing health risks and inadequate sanitation facilities affecting students.

The campaign, driven by students under UNICEF’s Clean Campus Programme, aims to eliminate the practice and institutionalise open defecation-free standards at UNICAL. It marks the first phase of a programme running across 11 Nigerian universities.

Dean of Students Prof. Offiong Mensah said open defecation had become common on campus despite its health dangers.

“It affects students’ health and the environment they live in. The university does not find this acceptable. That is why we are raising awareness on the dangers,” Mensah said.

He noted that poor toilet facilities and habits carried over from home contribute to the problem and that the Vice Chancellor has begun improving toilet facilities across the school.

UNICEF Young People Action Team member Dumbari Life said the initiative would be led by students through advocacy and a challenge-based engagement.

“This is the first phase of sensitization. Students will then take part in a challenge where we evaluate how many toilets are available and functioning, and how many UNICEF can support so students don’t have to use unsafe alternatives,” Life said.

He added that UNICAL was selected due to a three-year partnership with UNICEF on campus programmes, with the goal of making the environment clean and safe for learning.

Students Union Government President Emmanuel Obo acknowledged that open defecation exists on campus but expressed optimism that the campaign would end it.

UNICEF said the programme is also running in 10 other universities, with a focus on evaluating infrastructure gaps and scaling support where needed.