THE RELEVANCE OF POLICY AND PRACTICE ON SANITATION EFFORT IN DEVELOPING NATIONS: THE EXPERIENCE OF A SEMI- URBAN CITY IN SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA David O. Olukanni 1 , Dominic E. Azuh 2 , Tayo O. George 3 , Mofoluwake P. Ajayi 3 , PraiseGod C. Emenike 1 1 Department of Civil Engineering, Covenant University (NIGERIA) 2 Department of Economics and Development Studies, Covenant University (NIGERIA) 3 Department of Sociology, Covenant University (NIGERIA) Abstract Inappropriate waste management and poor sanitation practices have become major concerns in many developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The objectives of this study are to appraise the relevance of institutional policy and practice on sanitation effort with the case study of a semi-urban city in Southwest Nigeria. The study involved the assessment of procedures and techniques available in waste collection, treatment, disposal practices and compliances with institutional rules and regulations. The survey involved the use of structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, on-site observations and focus group discussions in the various local communities and villages drawn across the 16 wards of the municipality. The data assessed captured social demographic-, housing-, socio cultural- characteristics, sanitation and hygiene behaviour and problems with poor water and sanitation. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques in data collection and analysis were utilized as main instruments. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software application was employed for the purpose of analysis. Responses collected were coded using a linkert scaling procedure. The procedure combines descriptive analysis and bivariate regression estimation in arriving at the results obtained. Results of the study showed that there is no connection between institutional policies and the people’s sanitation practices in the communities and more so, the management practices in most communities expose the inhabitants to unnecessary health risks. This has put a challenge on sanitation effort at reaching the Millelium Development Goal (MDG) target. It is therefore recommended, that a sustained cooperation be developed among all key actors (government, waste managers, public health workers and inhabitants) so as to implement an economic, sustainable, safe and reliable sanitation strategy and practices. This should not only be limited to legislation and policy formulation but also in its monitoring and enforcement. In addition, there is need for sensitizing the general public and raising their awareness level on environmental risks associated with poor sanitation practices. Keywords: Sanitation, Waste Management, Policy and Practice, Semi-Urban City, Southwest Nigeria. 1 INTRODUCTION As the 2015 target date is being approached for the Millennium development Goals (MDGs), WHO and UNICEF are monitoring and addressing the current challenges and those that lie ahead. The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) latest update on Africa’s progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) reports that, Africa is making some progress on MDG 7, which is to ensure environmental sustainability [1]. Target 7C focuses on how to halve, by 2015, the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. However, the populations still lagging behind in the quality of their drinking water and adequate sanitation are majorly in the sub-Saharan African countries without an exception to Nigeria [2]. Nigeria has a population of over 151 million people, of which an estimated 41% do not have access to basic sanitation and 53% are not using an improved source of water [3]. Currently, Nigeria is part of the countries whose sanitation coverage rates are between 20% and 40 % points below the MDG targets [4], [5]. Even though, effort has been made by government agencies, local organizations and NGOs to increase access to safe water supply and sustainable sanitation in major cities in Nigeria; by supporting the provision of improved water sources and sanitation facilities in schools and rural communities thereby contributing to the achievement of the national target of 90% by 2015 and 100% by 2020 [6], [7], large numbers of both urban and rural areas still lack access to adequate sanitary facilities like latrines, hand washing facilities and waste disposal facilities. Non- Proceedings of ICERI2014 Conference 17th-19th November 2014, Seville, Spain ISBN: 978-84-617-2484-0 2955