Access to WASH in Nigeria: A Comparative Analysis of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Riverine and Non-Riverine Communities of Akwa Ibom State

This study provides a comparative analysis of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices in riverine and non-riverine communities within Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Despite ambitious institutional frameworks, public health remains threatened by inadequate infrastructure and deep-seated cultural resistance to modern sanitation. Adopting a mixed-methods research design, data were gathered through 400 structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and field observations across 30 purposively selected settlements. The sampling frame included educational institutions, commercial hubs, and fishing settlements. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative insights were coded thematically. Findings reveal a significant disparity in infrastructure; riverine communities reported substantially lower access to sanitary facilities (primarily due to flooding risks and temporary housing) compared to non-riverine areas, which benefited from higher—though still insufficient—private sector investment. Data indicated that only 37.5% of households across both regions possess private toilets, and 60% lack a consistent borehole water supply. Utilisation was particularly low in public spaces; universities and marketplaces exhibited severe deficiencies, leading to frequent instances of open defecation. These practices were often justified by long-standing cultural beliefs, such as the perception that faecal matter serves as aquatic nutrients in coastal zones or that contaminated water poses no threat to indigenous populations due to their inherently strong immune system. The study concludes that the gap between WASH policy and practice is widened by inadequate budget allocation and a lack of private-sector commitment. It is recommended that the Akwa Ibom State Government enforce a “WASH Private Sector Blueprint” and prioritise infrastructure development and behavioural sensitisation in schools, markets, and geographically disadvantaged riverine terrains to improve regional public health outcomes.