Success Essien
About 3.5 billion people still do not have safe sanitation services, while 419 million people practice open defecation, according to the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).
This lack of access to proper sanitation is particularly pronounced in sub-Saharan Africa, where only 31% of the population has access to safe sanitation.
Goal six of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focuses on clean water and sanitation for all. To realise this goal, stakeholders at the University of Lagos are taking bold steps to provide safe toilet facilities for students and staff.
On November 27, 2025, the University of Lagos Vice Chancellor, Professor Folashade Ogunsola, inaugurated a state-of-the-art restroom for the Department of Chemical Engineering.
This facility was donated by the CEO of Midas Touch Interior Limited. The unveiling marked a quiet but meaningful improvement for students and staff who spend long hours in the building.
Behind the scenes, many people contributed to making the project possible, including Dr. Sam Ejiwunmi, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, whose early involvement helped set the process in motion.
In an interview with UNILAG Sun, Ejiwunmi explained that his role began with a simple conversation.
He explained that former Sub-Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Adegboyega Ehinmowo, first highlighted the issue, saying that students were spending long hours in the building for lectures, practicals, and project work, yet the restroom facilities did not match the level of comfort or dignity required for such an intensive academic environment.
“That conversation stayed with me,” he said.
“Students spend long hours there, and the basic facilities meant to support them were not what they deserved. I strongly believe that when we take care of students’ everyday needs, their academic performance, creativity, and overall well-being improve.”
Acting on this concern, he reached out to Ms. Mabel Nwanegbu, CEO of Midas Touch Interior Limited. After hearing about the situation, she agreed to take on the project as part of the company’s CSR efforts.
For Ejiwunmi, the intention was clear.
“What I hope to achieve is simple. I want to help create a more conducive, respectful, and functional environment for learning,” he said.
“If students do not have to worry about the most necessities, they can focus on their education, their research, and their growth.”
He added that he hopes this gesture motivates others within the university community to contribute in similar ways.
“It is a small step, but I believe it sets an important example and contributes to a bigger culture of giving back,” he said.
Today, the new restroom facility stands as one of the latest improvements within the Faculty of Engineering. It reflects an ongoing effort to make the learning environment more humane, more comfortable, and more supportive for the students who pass through its halls every day.
More Stories
NUGA Inspired Our Maiden Sports Fiesta, Says UNILAG NANVIS President
‘Nobody Was Paying my School Fees, But Journalism Fed me’ — UNILAG Don, Ibitayo Popoola on His Journey Through the Newsroom
‘Lack of Vaccination Places Children at Risk of Preventable Diseases,’ says UNICEF, NGE