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Kano Schools Face Crisis Over Missing WASH Facilities
Over 6,000 Kano schools lack water and hygiene facilities, putting pupils at health and safety risk, UNICEF and authorities warn
Stakeholders have raised alarm over the absence of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in 6,279 public schools in Kano State, warning that the gap poses a serious threat to the safety, health, and education of pupils.
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The concern was highlighted during a media and stallholders dialogue on WASH services in schools and primary healthcare facilities, organised by the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in collaboration with UNICEF, held in Kano on Wednesday.
Field assessments conducted in some schools revealed that only 2,503 out of Kano State’s public primary and junior secondary schools have functional WASH facilities, leaving more than 6,200 schools without basic hygiene services.
Stakeholders emphasised that the lack of these facilities contributes to the spread of preventable diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera, increases absenteeism, and disproportionately affects girls, compromising safety, dignity, and learning outcomes.
Hajiya Amina Umar, Secretary to the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), representing the Chairman, acknowledged the gaps in WASH services.
She said the state government includes WASH initiatives in its annual budget, aiming for full coverage in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 agenda, but delayed budget releases sometimes hamper implementation.
“We will continue collaborating with communities, UNICEF, development partners, and NGOs to enhance the provision and maintenance of WASH facilities at school level,” Hajiya Umar said, assuring that the present administration will maintain funding for these initiatives.
UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office Kano, Mr. Rahama Rihood Mohammed, warned that the poor state of WASH services in schools and primary healthcare facilities is a national concern.
Drawing on findings from the 2021 WASHNORM II survey, he noted that only 11 per cent of schools nationwide have access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services, while just six per cent of health facilities meet the minimum standards.
“The situation is even more severe in rural areas of Northwest Nigeria,” Mr. Rihood Mohammed said.
“Schools and healthcare facilities, serving large populations daily, can quickly become centres for disease transmission without adequate WASH services.”
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He urged stakeholders to intensify advocacy and investment in WASH infrastructure, stressing that Nigerian children deserve safe and healthy environments to learn, grow, and thrive.
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The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that all 25 people aboard its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, died after the aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The aircraft, which had five crew members and 20 passengers on board, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the NAF 931 aircraft crash occurred on Monday, October 5, 2026. Search-and-rescue operations were immediately activated following the accident.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the country, while extending condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of those who died.
Aneke assured the bereaved families of the Nigerian Air Force’s full support as they come to terms with the loss.
The Air Force said no survivors had been found and released the names of the five crew members and 20 passengers on board the aircraft.
The crew members were identified as Squadron Leader M.I. Aburime, Flight Captain; Squadron Leader A.P. Man-Ugwueje, Co-pilot; Flight Lieutenant I.S. Bako, Co-pilot; Warrant Officer A. Abubakar, Aircraft Technician; and Corporal H.C. Uguru, Aircraft Technician.
The 20 passengers were Flight Lieutenant T.L. Lazarus; Flight Lieutenant M. Akinloye; Flying Officer I.M. Adeshina; Master Warrant Officer F. Onwuka; Master Warrant Officer B.A. Matini; Warrant Officer F.S. Nuhu; Flight Sergeant R.B. James; Flight Sergeant A.I. Mohammed; Sergeant A.E. Ani; Sergeant S.I. Izibenikien; Sergeant C. Alafuka; Sergeant A.N. Mbadugha; Lance Corporal F.C. Ugwuba; Lance Corporal G.E. Eledan; Mrs Ezeh Nneka; Godstmine Tarabina; Joy Micheal; Sunday Micheal; Ukeme David; and Gideon Omotola.
The latest figure released by the Air Force differs from the initial information provided after the crash. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo had initially said 32 people, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members, were aboard the aircraft. The Nigerian Air Force subsequently clarified that the manifest contained 25 people, made up of five crew members and 20 passengers.
The aircraft crashed in a swampy area around Igbokoda, close to a naval base, after air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13am while it was travelling from Benin to Lagos. The wreckage was later located and rescue teams were deployed to the area.
The cause of the crash has not been established. The Chief of the Air Staff has directed a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
President Bola Tinubu had also directed the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash and declared three days of national mourning for the personnel who died. He ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country in honour of the victims.
The Air Force said it would continue to provide timely and verified information as the investigation progresses. It also urged members of the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information, while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families.
A condolence register has been opened at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers who wish to pay their respects and convey messages of sympathy to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Air Force.
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