Effectiveness and sustainability of community-led total sanitation in Yobe State, Nigeria

Since 2012, Action Against Hunger is working with local authorities in Yobe State, Northern Nigeria, to trigger 138 communities using the Community-Led Total Sanitation methodology. This approach aims to empower communities to realize the negative impacts of open defecation, and thus mobilize themselves to eliminate open defecation and improve sanitation with limited external intervention. In mid-2017, Action Against Hunger conducted a review of triggered communities to garner best practices and lessons learned for CLTS effectiveness and sustainability. The study found significant progress towards achieving open defecation free status among project villages. Communities demonstrated high commitment to constructing and maintaining latrines and sustaining behaviour change. Key lessons learned included: the need for gender-specific programming; the potential for improved training of local artisans and natural leaders to offer improved sanitation options; and the importance of consistent community follow-up and continued engagement with community and local leaders and stakeholders.