Kaduna Declares Last Saturday of Every Month as Statewide Sanitation Day
The Kaduna State Government has formally designated the last Saturday of every Month as Sanitation Day, introducing a compulsory Statewide clean-up exercise aimed at tackling poor waste management, reducing flooding, and improving Public Health across all 23 Local Government Areas.
The announcement, endorsed by Governor Uba Sani, follows Months of consultations with Environmental Agencies, Civil-Society Organisations, Community Leaders and Health experts.
According to the directive, the first exercise will hold between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., during which movement will be restricted and residents are expected to clean their homes and immediate surroundings.
The move is spearheaded jointly by the Kaduna State Ministry of Environment and the Kaduna State Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA). KEPA’s Acting General Manager, Yahaya Victor, who led a series of sensitisation tours across Kaduna metropolis, said the initiative is designed to “restore a culture of environmental responsibility” among residents.
His team toured Areas including Kachia Road, Gonin Gora, Command Junction, and NNPC Junction, distributing awareness materials and advising motorists about upcoming restrictions.
Environmental advocacy groups have also thrown their weight behind the decision. At a State-level roundtable on hygiene and climate resilience, Dr. Abubakar Shafiu, Head of Research at African Climate Reporters, warned that persistent outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, and other preventable diseases are tied to poor sanitation habits. He described the Monthly clean-up as “a critical public-health intervention.”
Faith-based organisations such as the Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC), represented by Co-Director Samson Auta, called on religious institutions to mobilise followers for full participation, while the Safety Awareness and Environmental Support Initiative (SAESI), led by Yahaya Mohammed, emphasised that compliance is mandatory and advised residents to plan ahead.
State officials say the sanitation day will help clear drains, address blocked waterways, and reduce the flood risks that have affected several communities in recent years. The initiative also aligns with ongoing reforms under the State’s Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (SURWASH) programme, which focuses on boosting water access, solid-waste disposal, and hygiene awareness.
Residents, business owners, market traders, religious groups and community associations are all expected to participate monthly. KEPA has hinted that defaulters may face fines, while local monitoring teams will be stationed across neighbourhoods to ensure compliance.
The Kaduna Government insists that the new policy is not merely an environmental order, but a shared responsibility that will help promote a cleaner, healthier and more resilient State.
