Residents of Oregun in the Ojota Area of Lagos State have raised concerns over the incidence of open defecation in parts of the community.
They lamented that if left unchecked, the practice would gradually turn the serene environment into an area defaced by human waste.
The residents and traders around the open drainage in front of the Clay bus stop, before Juli Estate on Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, inward Ojota, lamented that the strong smell emanating from the drainage, due to the practice, had begun making commuting and transacting business in the area increasingly difficult.
The Lagos State Government had consistently warned residents and visitors in the state to desist from the act of open defecation.
In a recent advisory message posted on its Facebook page, the state government warned against the practice and urged residents to take responsibility for their environment, keeping the state clean and safe.
When PUNCH Healthwise visited the area on March 10, 2026, the smell of urine and faeces was choking.
The smell creates an uncomfortable atmosphere for people passing through the bus stop to their destination.
Our correspondent noticed faeces, some lay scattered in the drainage, while others were packed in nylon.
Speaking with PUNCH Healthwise, the residents lamented that some unknown individuals have resorted to defecating in the drainage channel.
A resident, Mrs Taiwo Ayodeji, lamented the practice and called for the government’s intervention.
“Over the years, I have noticed that the open drainage is being used by some people as their toilet, and they litter the drain with faeces.
“I wish the government could do something about this so residents of the area can walk the way without irritation. I get so irritated each time I pass through there. This is the middle of a town, and it is very bad,” she said.
Also, a food vendor in the area, who simply identified herself as Nneka, alleged that people defecate in the drainage overnight.
“This issue has become very disturbing. When we come early in the morning, we’ll just see that people have defecated in the drainage. The smell alone is enough to make people uncomfortable, especially those of us who run businesses around here,” she said.
Another resident, Razaq Sanni, said that the practice could impact public health if not checked.
Sanni said, “What is happening here is not good for public health at all. When it rains, the waste is washed across other drainage and spreads around the area. We are worried because we have children who play around, and if nothing is done, it can easily lead to disease outbreaks.”
Also speaking, Ifeanyi Succes, explained that the smell of faeces in the area had become a familiar thing.
Success, who works in one of the factories around the area, said he uses the bus stop to connect to a bus or a tricycle going to Ojota, adding that faeces usually dots the drainage.
“It’s normal here, I have seen that several times. Both fresh and dry poos are always in the drainage. I actually don’t know why people do such in this area. The government and community leaders need to intervene before the situation gets worse,” he said.
As a measure to curb the menace, a Lagos Magistrate Court recently convicted and fined 17 residents for engaging in open defecation and urination.
The Lagos State Government disclosed this on its official verified X handle.
According to the Lagos State Government, the offenders were apprehended by the Lagos Waste Management Authority.
They appeared before the Magistrate Court at Bolade, Oshodi, and were each sentenced to pay ₦40,000 or face one month imprisonment.
Data from the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation showed that 48 million Nigerians still practise open defecation, and many people still use the bush and water bodies as their regular means for excreta disposal.
With this alarming figure amid a nationwide shortage of toilets, some public health physicians doubt the country’s ability to achieve open defecation-free status by 2030.
However, UNICEF said that Nigeria requires approximately 20 million toilets to eliminate open defecation by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Open defecation poses risks, experts warn
Public health experts warned that open defecation poses serious health risks not only to those engaging in it but to the general population and can expose millions to preventable diseases.
According to them, faecal matter and urine deposited in open areas contaminate water sources and pollute the air.
A public health physician and infectious disease expert, Prof. Adebayo Onajole, said infectious and harmful pathogens spread through open defecation.
“When defecation is open and not treated, everybody around there, both immediate and distant, is exposed to the threat of infection.
“Defecation often contains a lot of pathogens. Some of them are harmful and infectious. When people defecate in an open space, it can easily spread to others through contamination of surface or underground water,” the don told PUNCH Healthwise.
Also, an epidemiologist, Dr Japhet Olugbogi, explained that several diseases can be spread through open defecation.
“Diseases like roundworms and parasites can be contracted through open defecation. When it rains, floodwater drives the matter into homes or into places where children may touch or put things into their mouths.
“Apart from that, diseases like polio, typhoid, rotavirus, and many others have been linked to open defecation. These are diseases caused by what you consume—from hand to mouth. Open defecation is a major means of spreading these.
“Also, apart from the odour in areas where open defecation is rife, people who eat in such areas are at risk because flies can perch on the faeces and carry droppings around, then drop them on their food. So, they are not safe either,” he said.
Government response
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has said that it would include the Oregun area in its areas being highly monitored to prevent open defecation across the state.
Speaking in an interview with our correspondent, the Spokesman for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Kunle Adesina, said the ministry would spring into action to curb the menace.
“I will inform the relevant department in charge because we even have a task force on environmental sanitation. As you have raised a red flag about it now, I am going to inform them so they will intensify their monitoring of that area,” he said.
According to him, anyone caught will be dealt with according to the law.
“For instance, in areas like the expressway corridors and border areas, we have set up task forces consisting of some of our security and paramilitary agencies, the Kick Against Indiscipline officers, as well as transport unions. They work around the clock to monitor those areas.
“When people are arrested, they are taken before the mobile courts. The same treatment will apply to anyone caught in such acts in that area (Oregun). We will look into it, and anyone who is caught will face the consequences because the law will definitely take its course,” he assured.
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