Nigeria, UNICEF team up to train WASH officers to tackle cholera outbreaks

To strengthen its fight against recurrent cholera outbreaks, the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with UNICEF, has trained Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) officers from Sokoto and Zamfara States. The initiative aims to boost emergency response capabilities and preventive strategies in high-risk communities.

National training targets cholera-prone states

The three-day training workshop was organized under the Case Area Targeted Intervention (CATI) programme by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation. It specifically targeted Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Sokoto and Zamfara States, which consistently report high incidences of cholera.

Cholera, a deadly diarrhoeal disease caused by ingesting contaminated water or food, can cause severe dehydration and even death within hours if left untreated. Although treatable with oral rehydration solutions and antibiotics, early intervention remains the most effective way to save lives.

Enhancing local capacity for faster response

Chief Scientific Officer, Mr. Ayodele Babalola, highlighted the training’s focus on equipping WASH officials with both preventive and emergency response skills. “Participants were trained in water treatment, containment of cholera spread, and disinfection services at individual, group, facility, and community levels,” Babalola said.

The training also introduced standard operating procedures, new innovations, and advanced methods for community engagement, aiming to accelerate Nigeria’s progress toward universal access to clean water and sanitation.

Officials gained practical skills in:

• Water purification and treatment techniques

• Community disinfection protocols

• Outbreak data analysis

• Reagent preparation for cholera testing

• Designing and managing WASH programmes

• Monitoring and evaluation best practices

Building a community-based response framework

Mr. Babalola emphasized that the trained officials are expected to become change agents in their communities, disseminating hygiene messages and promoting behavior change. By encouraging handwashing, safe food handling, and safe defecation practices, they will help curb the spread of cholera at the grassroots level.

Moreover, the CATI programme includes partnerships with ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and community responders to create a coordinated and sustainable cholera prevention framework.

Call for stronger political commitment and funding

Mr. Attah Benson, the National Coordinator of the Network on Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), urged both local and state governments to allocate more budgetary resources to WASH programmes. He called for the establishment of dedicated emergency response funds to support rapid deployment during outbreaks.

“Access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene remains the most effective tool for cholera prevention,” Benson said. “Vaccines are a useful secondary measure but cannot replace the impact of clean environments and good hygiene practices.”

He warned that ending open defecation requires strong political will, adequate funding, and sustained efforts from all stakeholders, especially in rural and underserved communities.

A timely intervention for rural Nigeria

Participants described the workshop as an essential step in boosting the effectiveness of frontline health and sanitation workers, particularly in rural areas where access to clean water and adequate hygiene services remains limited.

By empowering WASH officials with the right tools and training, the Federal Government and its development partners aim to build resilient health systems capable of detecting and responding to cholera and other waterborne diseases in real time.

The training reflects Nigeria’s broader commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 6, which focuses on ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.