Evaluation of Environmental Sanitation Conditions in Informal Settlements of Kaduna City

Poor environmental sanitation in informal urban settlements generates concentrated public health risks and diminishes quality of life for millions of Nigerians residing outside the coverage of formal municipal services. This study evaluates environmental sanitation conditions in four informal settlements of Kaduna City, North West Nigeria, examining toilet coverage, solid waste disposal, wastewater management, and household hygiene practices. A structured observational checklist and questionnaire survey were administered in 200 households selected through systematic sampling. Water, sanitation and hygiene performance was assessed against Joint Monitoring Programme indicators, and Geographic Information Systems were used to map sanitation infrastructure gaps. Results reveal open defecation rates of 31 percent in the most peripheral settlement, with shared pit latrines serving an average of eighteen households where toilet coverage exists. Solid waste is predominantly disposed of through indiscriminate dumping in open spaces, waterways, and road margins. Only 22 percent of households have access to covered drainage for wastewater disposal. Sanitation conditions are significantly worse in female-headed households and households with insecure tenancy arrangements. The study documents a positive association between sanitation access and distance from market areas, suggesting that commercial land pressure reduces available space for sanitation infrastructure. Recommendations focus on subsidised latrine construction programmes, community-led total sanitation campaigns, and tenure security improvements as enabling conditions for household sanitation investment. Keywords: environmental sanitation, informal settlements, Kaduna, open defecation, urban hygiene.