Reckitt’s catalyst project drives local sanitation impact in Nigeria
Reckitt Nigeria has announced inauguration of a public sanitation facility in Abule Egba, Lagos, built by MN Environmental Services, one of four health and hygiene enterprises in Nigeria from the
Reckitt Nigeria has announced inauguration of a public sanitation facility in Abule Egba, Lagos, built by MN Environmental Services, one of four health and hygiene enterprises in Nigeria from the 2025 cohort of the Reckitt Catalyst programme.
The facility will serve over 30,000 commuters monthly, bringing critical Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure to one of Lagos’ busiest transit corridors.
Reckitt Catalyst is a five-year global programme launched to accelerate access to health and hygiene solutions. Since 2023 in Nigeria, it has supported 10 social entrepreneurs, provided mentorship and business training, and given out over N85 million in seed funding.
The initiative emphasises women and under-represented founders, ensuring equitable opportunities for entrepreneurs who face systemic barriers in the ecosystem. Entrepreneurs in the programme also join a global community of practice across health, hygiene, and WASH sectors, gaining visibility and credibility for sustainable growth.
Nigeria faces a sanitation crisis of significant scale. Over 179 million Nigerians lack access to basic sanitation, and an estimated 46 million still practise open defecation. In Lagos — the country’s most populous city — the challenge is acute: 70 per cent lacks safely managed sanitation, while 65 per cent lacks basic hygiene services. Despite decades of intervention, challenges continue to outstrip solutions.
The facility is a practical and scalable response to these realities. Built with sustainability at its core, it features a biodegradable waterless sanitation system, a modular design for flexible deployment, as well as separate men and women toilets and shower facilities.
Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh, head of External Communications, Media and Partnerships, Reckitt West and East Africa, said: “We launched the Reckitt Catalyst Programme to see projects like this come to life. The fastest and most effective way to bring impact to underserved communities is to empower the people in those communities, those who understand the problem and know what solutions need to look like.” She added: “Through our power brand Harpic, Reckitt is expanding sanitation and hygiene access, reducing open defecation, and improving lives of Nigerians. This facility is proof of what becomes possible when government, corporates, and local enterprises collaborate.”
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Co-founder of MN Environmental Services, Jife Williams, noted: “Access to clean and safe sanitation is a right. This facility provides a hygienic, accessible, and well‑managed environment for users, and we will ensure its sustainability.” She stressed importance of cross-sector partnerships in addressing sanitation gaps. “The project was delivered through P‑PP with Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, no organisation can fight these challenges alone. It requires collaboration in all sectors.”
The commissioning event was witnessed by state dignitaries and community stakeholders, including Dr Hassan Sanuth, Director of Sanitation Services, Lagos State Ministry of Environmental Services & Water Resources; Hon Abiodun Ishola Ejigbadero, the Executive Chairman of Agbado Oke Odo Local Council Development Area, represented by his Vice Chairman, Hon Shobayo Kehinde; and other members of the Abule Egba community.
The successful commissioning marks a meaningful milestone for the Reckitt Catalyst programme in Nigeria, demonstrating that targeted, locally rooted investment, guided by global health goals, is an underutilised but highly effective model for driving lasting community impact.
