KWALI SETS PACE AS FCT RUWASSA IN COLLABORATION WITH UNICEF, DUTCH ENVOY REVIEW WASH PROGRESS IN FCT
By: Prudence Okonna
Kwali Area Council has emerged as a model in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and on its way to becoming Open Defecation Free by December 2025, making it the first Area Council to achieve this feat in the Nation’s Capital.
The appraisal was done by the Federal Capital Territory Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), UNICEF, and the Royal Netherlands Embassy, during a tour to review progress in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions in the Kwali Area Council on Monday, 29 September 2025.
In her address, the Acting Director, FCT RUWASSA, Abigail Ekpenisi, said that in the past, Kwali communities faced open defecation, disease outbreaks, insecurity for women, and school absenteeism.
She, however, noted that with support from UNICEF, Kwali Area Council, and community stakeholders, major progress has been achieved in 122 communities, which are now certified open defecation free (ODF), and Kwali Central Ward has officially attained ODF status, reducing disease and restoring dignity.
The Acting Director called for sustained investment, stronger monitoring, inclusive designs for vulnerable groups, and community ownership.
Okpenisi emphasised that sanitation is a basic human right and urged all partners to build on progress for a healthier, cleaner, and more dignified Kwali.
Chief of WASH, UNICEF Nigeria, Jane Bevan, expressed optimism that Kwali would achieve 100 per cent Open Defecation Free (ODF) status before the end of the year, noting that 122 communities in the council had already attained ODF, with 320 more expected to follow by December.
“We have seen dramatic improvement here in Kwali. For the FCT capital area to lead the way is significant. We believe this year, Kwali can achieve full ODF status,” Bevan said.
Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria, Bengt van Loosdrecht, commended the community’s commitment, saying the Netherlands would continue to support UNICEF’s agenda of expanding WASH programmes to other parts of the FCT.
“I am here to learn, and I must say Kwali has shown that with community spirit and strong partnerships, great change is possible,” he said.
On his part, the Estu of Kwali, His Royal Highness, Ayedoo Luka Nizassan, expressed deep appreciation to the Dutch Ambassador, UNICEF, and the RUWASSA team for their partnership in transforming the community’s approach to water, sanitation, and hygiene.
He noted that before now, open defecation was widely practiced in the area, but through sustained sensitization and interventions, residents are undergoing a cultural transition in how they perceive sanitation.
The Estu further disclosed that the community has chosen a dedicated day for sanitation, beginning in the first week of October, where neighbourhoods will compete in cleanliness. Outstanding areas will receive rewards to encourage sustainability and set an example for others.
He emphasized that the model introduced through the UNICEF and RUWASSA partnership is working effectively, and Kwali is committed to sustaining it as a model for other communities in the FCT. “Please go home and commend yourselves for the impact you have made. We are so happy to have you here with us in Kwali,” he concluded.
“This is not just a programme from outside; we are owning it as a community so we can live healthier and longer lives. From October, sanitation will become competitive, and we will reward neighbourhoods that perform best,” the Estu declared.
Abuja Digest reports that the delegation underscored that Kwali’s achievements could serve as a model for other communities in the FCT, as Nigeria pushes towards its national target of ending open defecation.
The visit, which also covered Kwali Primary Health Centre, LEA Primary School Lambata, and the Anini community, highlighted significant improvements in hygiene practices and community ownership of sanitation initiatives.
