Reckitt Nigeria has announced the opening of a new public sanitation facility in Abule Egba, Lagos. This facility was developed by MN Environmental Services, a health and hygiene enterprise that is part of the 2025 cohort of Reckitt's Catalyst programme. The new facility is expected to cater to more than 30,000 commuters each month, thereby introducing essential Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure to a high-traffic transit route in Lagos.
The Reckitt Catalyst Programme, a five-year global initiative designed to accelerate the availability of health and hygiene solutions worldwide, has been active in Nigeria since 2023. To date, it has provided support to 10 social entrepreneurs through mentorship, business training, and over N85 million in seed funding. A key focus of the programme is to support female and underrepresented founders, promoting equitable opportunities for entrepreneurs who often encounter systemic obstacles within the business landscape. Participants also gain access to a global network of professionals in the health, hygiene, and WASH sectors, enhancing their visibility and credibility for sustained growth.
Nigeria is grappling with a considerable sanitation challenge. Currently, more than 179 million Nigerians lack access to basic sanitation services, and approximately 46 million people resort to open defecation. In Lagos, Nigeria's most populous city, the situation is particularly dire, with 70% of residents without access to safely managed sanitation and 65% lacking basic hygiene services. Despite numerous interventions over the years, the emergence of new challenges continues to outpace the delivery of existing solutions.
The newly commissioned facility in Abule Egba offers a practical and adaptable solution to these pressing issues. It has been designed with sustainability as a core principle, incorporating a biodegradable, waterless sanitation system. Its modular construction allows for flexible deployment in various communities, and it features separate toilet and shower facilities for men and women.
Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh, Head of External Communications, Media and Partnerships for Reckitt West and East Africa, stated at the commissioning event, “We launched the Reckitt Catalyst Programme to see projects exactly like this come to life. The fastest and most effective way to bring impact to underserved communities is to empower the people within those communities, those who understand the problem and know what solutions need to look like.” She further added, “Through our power brand Harpic, Reckitt remains committed to expanding sanitation and hygiene access, reducing open defecation, and improving the lives of Nigerians. This facility is proof of what becomes possible when government, corporates, and local enterprises collaborate.”
Jife Williams, Co-founder of MN Environmental Services, emphasized the significance of sanitation, saying, “Access to clean and safe sanitation is a fundamental human right. This facility has been designed to provide a hygienic, accessible, and well-managed environment for all users, and we are committed to ensuring its sustainability and proper maintenance.” She also highlighted the critical role of cross-sector partnerships in tackling Nigeria’s sanitation deficits: “The project was delivered through a Public- Private Partnership with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA); there is no organisation, government agency or institution that can fight these challenges alone. It requires collaboration across all sectors.”
The commissioning ceremony was attended by notable state dignitaries and community leaders, including Dr Hassan Sanuth, Director of Sanitation Services at the Lagos State Ministry of Environmental Services & Water Resources; Hon Abiodun Ishola Ejigbadero, the Executive Chairman of Agbado Oke Odo Local Council Development Area, who was represented by his Vice Chairman, Hon Shobayo Kehinde; alongside other members of the Abule Egba community.
This successful commissioning represents a significant achievement for the Reckitt Catalyst programme in Nigeria, illustrating that targeted, locally- driven investment, aligned with global health objectives, is an underutilised yet highly effective strategy for creating lasting community impact.
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