Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities are not a luxury—they are a fundamental right. They are essential to ensuring that every child can thrive in a safe and healthy learning environment. Unfortunately, a 2023 study conducted by CEDU under the LGGM Project revealed a stark truth: 99% of primary and secondary schools in Southeast Nigeria lack functional WASH facilities.
This is not speculation—these figures come from direct, on-the-ground research. To determine whether any progress has been made, our team revisited the schools in 2024. The results were deeply concerning. Most schools are still in the same deplorable state.
Children continue to face unimaginable conditions:
• Forced to defecate in the bush
• Vulnerable to diseases and exposure to sexual violence
• Victims of snake and reptile bites
• Many, especially girls, avoid school due to unsafe and unsanitary conditions
How can we expect children to stay motivated to learn when their basic needs, like safe sanitation and clean water—are ignored? How can they focus on their education when they are constantly exposed to dangers and discomforts like trekking long distances to fetch water or, worse, leaving school entirely because of unsafe environments?
When we think of education in developed nations, we picture schools with modern infrastructure, safe water systems, and proper sanitation. But those conditions are not a luxury, they are the foundation of learning. If we want our children to grow into the leaders, innovators, and change-makers of tomorrow, we must give them the right environment today
This is not just a regional issue. The children in Southeast Nigeria are not only the future of the region—they are the future of Nigeria and the global community. Ignoring their needs today will hinder their potential and rob us of the next generation of doctors, engineers, and problem-solvers.
Now is the time to act. As individuals, organizations, and institutions, we must come together to demand change. We need to push for greater government accountability, raise awareness, and mobilize resources to build the WASH infrastructure these schools desperately need.
At CEDU, we are committed to changing this unacceptable reality. We invite you to join us in this fight. To partner, donate, or support our efforts, please email us at cedu@csaaeinc.org
Be part of the solution. Stand with these children. Speak out. Take action. Because when we act, we give these children the opportunity to dream, learn, and thrive