By Jako Keke, September 4, 2026— Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State has been declared Open Defecation-Free (ODF), following sustained interventions by the Taraba State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) aimed at improving sanitation and promoting healthier communities.
The declaration marks a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to eliminate open defecation and improve access to safe sanitation facilities, particularly in rural communities.
The process, which covered more than 400 communities across Karim Lamido, involved a series of activities including community triggering, sensitisation, training, certification and validation by RUWASSA and its partners.
The development was announced by the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS) under the Federal Government’s Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign, during its 7th meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation conference room.
With Karim Lamido’s declaration, the number of ODF Local Government Areas in Nigeria has risen to 178.
In Taraba State, four other Local Government Areas — Wukari, Ibi, Gashaka and Sardauna — are currently in the pipeline for ODF certification as sanitation stakeholders intensify efforts to replicate the achievement across the state.
An ODF status requires communities to end the practice of open defecation and ensure that households have and consistently use hygienic toilet facilities.
To sustain the achievement, authorities in Karim Lamido are also enforcing sanitation by-laws designed to discourage open defecation and ensure compliance among residents.
Under the local regulations, anyone caught defecating in the open is liable to a ₦10,000 fine, while residents without toilet facilities may face a ₦200,000 penalty or up to one month in custody, in line with the applicable local sanitation provisions.
Enforcement of the regulations is already underway. According to sanitation officials, 26 defaulters have been arrested following a series of community engagements led by the Team Lead of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Mr Habu A. Jatau.
Commenting on the achievement, the Taraba State Project Coordinator, Mr Julius Autu, described the declaration as a significant milestone for the state and a boost to the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas.
Autu appreciated the support provided by the state government towards the success of the sanitation campaign, assuring that RUWASSA would continue working to ensure that more Local Government Areas attain ODF status.
Senior officers of RUWASSA and members of the WASH team also called on residents across Taraba State to support efforts to eliminate open defecation, stressing that improved sanitation could strengthen the state’s ability to attract interventions from development partners, international donors and non-governmental organisations.
The Leader of the State Task Group on Sanitation, Mrs Ndanaba Yohanna, commended the people of Karim Lamido for their commitment to the ODF campaign.
She particularly acknowledged the contributions of traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, women associations and other critical stakeholders, whose participation, she said, was instrumental to the success of the exercise.
Also speaking, the Director of Sanitation and Hygiene at RUWASSA, Mr Vincent Kwakwah Peter, expressed satisfaction with Karim Lamido’s achievement.
Peter commended RUWASSA personnel, local government support staff and non-governmental organisations for their commitment, time and resources towards making the ODF declaration possible.
He urged stakeholders and residents to sustain the gains recorded and ensure that the ODF status translates into lasting sanitation practices across communities.
The achievement places Karim Lamido among the growing number of communities and Local Government Areas in Nigeria taking concrete steps towards ending open defecation and advancing the country’s broader sanitation and public-health objectives.
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