No fewer than 1.6 million people lose their lives annually across the globe due to faecal contamination, a report has revealed.

The disclosure was made by the Director General of the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA), Dr. Mahmud Mohammed Bose, during a training session for manual pit emptiers held in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of the state.

Dr. Bose, while addressing participants at the training, stated that the fatalities include thousands of children, noting that in Nigeria alone, over 100,000 under-five deaths are recorded annually from illnesses traceable to faecal contamination.

The training, which focused on safe and hygienic pit-emptying practices and proper disposal of faecal sludge, was organised in collaboration with the Women Development Association for Self Sustenance (WODASS) with support from WaterAid Nigeria.

The BASEPA boss said the programme was aimed at building the capacity of manual pit emptiers on key aspects of faecal sludge management, including effective communication, community engagement, adherence to regulatory frameworks, business development and marketing, and resource recovery techniques such as composting, briquette formation, and biogas digestion. It also covered data management skills essential for improving sanitation outcomes.

“Pit emptying is the process of removing accumulated faecal sludge from pit latrines and septic tanks, either manually or mechanically,” Bose explained. “If not done properly, it can lead to disease transmission including diarrhoea, typhoid and cholera, and can contaminate ground and surface water.”

According to him, the global economic cost of poorly managed human excreta is estimated at $260 billion annually, while Nigeria bears a financial burden of about N455 billion, representing 1.3 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He sensitised participants on the dangers associated with improper pit emptying and demonstrated the proper use of protective gear to safeguard their health and the environment.

Also speaking, the Director of Enforcement and Compliance at BASEPA, Muhammad Usman, stressed the importance of safely managed sanitation, describing it as fundamental to public health, environmental preservation, and sustainable development.

Usman urged governments at all levels, communities, and individuals to collaborate towards achieving equitable access to sanitation services, noting that “investing in sanitation has both health and economic benefits.”

He also identified a number of hazards linked to faecal sludge management, especially in manual handling. According to him, workers are often exposed to risks from transporting heavy sludge containers, which may result in injuries and other health complications.

To mitigate these risks, he advocated for the adoption of proper safety measures including the use of personal protective equipment, adequate ventilation, periodic medical check-ups, emergency response protocols, and continuous capacity-building for workers.

A representative of WODASS, who spoke at the event, lauded BASEPA for its proactive steps in safeguarding the environment and promoting public health through its sanitation initiatives.

The representative also commended WaterAid Nigeria for its consistent support for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) activities in the state, assuring that WODASS will continue to partner with relevant stakeholders to enhance understanding and implementation of sanitation programmes for improved healthy living among the people.

The training, which drew participants from various communities within Tafawa Balewa LGA, is part of broader efforts to strengthen Bauchi State’s sanitation framework and reduce health risks associated with poor waste management.