International Science Community Association International Research Journal of Environmental Sciences 2319-1414 8 4 2019 10 22 The challenge of open defaecation (OD) and community-led total sanitation (CLTS) in Nigeria – A Review 61 68 EN Henri Kpèdékpo AKOGBETO 1 International Chair in Mathematical Physics and Applications (ICMPA), Faculty of Sciences and Technologies (FAST), University Abomey-Calavi, 072 P.O.Box 50, Cotonou, Benin and Unité de Recherche sur les Zones Humides, Département de Zoologie, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université d′Abomey-Calavi, 01BP526 Cotonou, Bénin Emile Didier FIOGBE 2 Unité de Recherche sur les Zones Humides, Département de Zoologie, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université d′Abomey-Calavi, 01BP526 Cotonou, Bénin N.N. Punchihewa 1 Department of Zoology, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka E.M.D Tharangani 2 Department of Zoology, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka Nandagopal P. 1 Department of Environmental Science, Bangalore University, Jnanabharathi Campus, Bengaluru-560056, India Harish R. Bhat 2 Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru-560012, India Shakya Sudarshana 1 Department of Botany, Bhaktapur Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Bhaktapur, Nepal Yadav Pramod Kumar 2 Department of Chemistry, Thakur Ram Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Birgunj, Nepal Pant Dipesh Raj 3 Department of Environment Science, Tri-chandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvn University, Kathmandu, Nepal Shakya Ramesh Kaji 4 Department of Zoology, Padma Kanya Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal Shrestha Mahesh 5 Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Padma Kanya Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal Pradhananga Achut Ram 6 Department of Chemistry, Padma Kanya Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal Shrestha Prem Kumar 7 Department of Chemistry, Padma Kanya Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal Shakya Pawan Raj 8 Department of Chemistry, Padma Kanya Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal Khin Myint Mar 1 Department of Zoology, University of Magway, Myanmar Thin Thin Khaing 2 Department of Zoology, University of Magway, Myanmar Ma Win 3 Department of Zoology, University of Magway, Myanmar Joshi Anushri 1 Department of Geography, Shri Haridas Kalidas Arts College, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad, Gujarat-380009, India Desai Ajay 2 Mehsana Urban Institute of Sciences, Ganpat University, Ganpat Vidhyanagar, Mehsana, Gujarat-384012, India Mehta Kavit 3 Mehsana Urban Institute of Sciences, Ganpat University, Ganpat Vidhyanagar, Mehsana, Gujarat-384012, India Bhatt Keyur2 4 Mehsana Urban Institute of Sciences, Ganpat University, Ganpat Vidhyanagar, Mehsana, Gujarat-384012, India Jain B.K. 5 M.G. Science Institute, Navarangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat-380009, India Elizabeth Wangui Muoria 1 Department of Environmental Science, Egerton University. P.O. Box 536 Egerton Njoro, Kenya Wilkister Nyaora Moturi 2 Department of Environmental Science, Egerton University. P.O. Box 536 Egerton Njoro, Kenya George Were Eshiamwata 3 Natural Sciences, Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, P.O. Box 72017-00200, Nairobi, Kenya Noel Dube 1 Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Zimbabwe Open University. Box 346, Gwanda, Zimbabwe Mela Danjin 1 College of Nursing and Midwifery Gombe (CONMG), Gombe State, Nigeria Henry O. Sawyerr 2 Environmental Health Science Programme, School of Allied Health and Environmental Science, Kwara State University (KWASU), MaleteIlorin, Kwara State, Nigeria > Review Paper 2019 1 17 2019 10 22 Recent World Health Organization report ranked Nigeria as number two (2) nation in Open Defaecation (OD). This is affirmed as an environmental nuisance that has over time engaged the attention of both government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). And as part of their social responsibility the academia and corporate organizations working within the purview of environmental and public health domains have exhibited no less concern. Amidst a number of responses from government and other stakeholders in Nigeria, is the adoption of Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) principle. The objective of this review paper aimed to examine this all-important subject matter, and to take a look at the enormity of the challenges and the efforts made so far in the country. Intense literature review was conducted on peer review journals and published work on OD in Nigeria. This aimed to assess (a) to what extent has OD been a public health risk in our communities? (b) What common practices within existing socio cultural norms in Nigeria constitute the prime drivers of OD? (c) What are the common impediments to combating OD in Nigeria? Conclusive review indicate that one of the proven strategies often deployed at community and programme level, Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) or the Community Approach for Total Sanitation (CATS) as examined in the Nigerian context – its adaptability, effectiveness or otherwise. A few models were critically examined and relevant recommendations were made. Copyright@ International Science Community Association