The Katsina State Government, in partnership with UNICEF, has launched a five-day intensive training programme on Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) to strengthen sanitation practices and preserve the state’s newly achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
The capacity-building exercise, organised through the Katsina State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), aims to equip sanitation workers with the technical knowledge required for the safe evacuation, treatment, and disposal of human waste.
Local government areas participating in the training include Rimi, Batagarawa, and Katsina.
Dr. Stella Okafor-Terver, UNICEF’s WASH Programme Officer from the Kano Field Office, explained that Katsina recently became the second state in Nigeria to attain ODF status, following Jigawa.
She said the initiative is designed to help the state sustain this milestone while prioritising the health, safety, and dignity of sanitation workers.
Before now, many operators manually evacuated waste without protective gear, exposing themselves to severe health risks, she noted.
“This training directly addresses those gaps by providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), safety tools, and clear operational guidelines to promote hygienic and environmentally responsible practices,” Okafor-Terver said.
She added that the training is “not just about technical skills, but about professionalism, safety, and sustainability.”
According to her, the state government has also begun issuing certification to trained FSM workers and creating an official database to monitor their operations — a move that introduces structure and accountability into a previously informal sector.
UNICEF, through the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), has also supported toilet business owners with training on Climate-Resilient Toilet Technologies and Sanitation Marketing Strategies, helping them promote improved sanitation facilities in homes and public institutions.
“The initiative is building a sanitation market that creates jobs and ensures access to affordable, durable, and climate-friendly toilet options for all,” she said.
Also speaking, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Officer at RUWASSA and UNICEF Focal Person, revealed that plans are underway to expand the training to other local government areas.
He confirmed that 95 participants are currently taking part in the ongoing session, which is expected to improve both environmental hygiene and public health outcomes across the state.