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Portable Sanitation and Nigeria
By Chelsea McCafferty
Several months ago the Sanitation Journal ran an
article featuring Nigerian businessman Isaac
Durojaiye (also known as Otunba Gadaffi). Durojaiye
is owner of the Lagos-based DMT (Dignified Mobile
Toilets). The article summarized DMT's history and
successes, highlighting some of the ways the
company, and it's owner, have positively impacted
Nigeria and its people. However, upon further
research it has become clear that there is much more
to this story than originally meets the eye. You see,
to truly understand what Durojaiye has
accomplished with DMT, one must understand
Nigeria; its people, its history and its culture. We
must take a closer look at Nigeria to appreciate the
importance of DMT's extraordinary success and why
it means so much to this developing country.
article featuring Nigerian businessman Isaac
Durojaiye (also known as Otunba Gadaffi). Durojaiye
is owner of the Lagos-based DMT (Dignified Mobile
Toilets). The article summarized DMT's history and
successes, highlighting some of the ways the
company, and it's owner, have positively impacted
Nigeria and its people. However, upon further
research it has become clear that there is much more
to this story than originally meets the eye. You see,
to truly understand what Durojaiye has
accomplished with DMT, one must understand
Nigeria; its people, its history and its culture. We
must take a closer look at Nigeria to appreciate the
importance of DMT's extraordinary success and why
it means so much to this developing country.
Nigeria, officially known as the Federal Republic of Nigera, is located in
West Africa, sharing land borders with the Republic of Benin,
Cameroon, Chad and Niger in the north. Nigeria has the highest
population of all African countries and is currently the ninth most
populous country in the world, with approximately 140 million people.
The median age in most recent figures is 18.7 years, and life expectancy
rate from birth is an average of 47.44 years. This is quite low considering
the world average life expectancy at birth is 67 years. The United States
current average is 78 years. According to research by the United
Nations, Nigeria is going through a rapid population growth as the birth
rate is significantly higher than the death rate.
Durojaiye advised, "It was a bit tough (growing up) considering the
family background and the number of children my father had to contend
with." Durojaiye explained that he came from a polygamous background.
His father has three wives and 16 children. He is number seven of his
father's children. "The whole family lived together until everyone grew
up and moved on."
Durojaiye was also married and has three sons and two daughters. His
wife unfortunately passed away four years ago. A couple of his relatives
also work with him at DMT.
Health care and general living conditions, although improving, is still in
a poor state. Just over half of the population has access to suitable
sanitation and potable water. Although HIV and AIDS rate is much
lower in Nigeria compared to other African nations such as South Africa
or Kenya, they still suffer from occasional outbreaks of polio, malaria,
cholera and sleeping sickness.
West Africa, sharing land borders with the Republic of Benin,
Cameroon, Chad and Niger in the north. Nigeria has the highest
population of all African countries and is currently the ninth most
populous country in the world, with approximately 140 million people.
The median age in most recent figures is 18.7 years, and life expectancy
rate from birth is an average of 47.44 years. This is quite low considering
the world average life expectancy at birth is 67 years. The United States
current average is 78 years. According to research by the United
Nations, Nigeria is going through a rapid population growth as the birth
rate is significantly higher than the death rate.
Durojaiye advised, "It was a bit tough (growing up) considering the
family background and the number of children my father had to contend
with." Durojaiye explained that he came from a polygamous background.
His father has three wives and 16 children. He is number seven of his
father's children. "The whole family lived together until everyone grew
up and moved on."
Durojaiye was also married and has three sons and two daughters. His
wife unfortunately passed away four years ago. A couple of his relatives
also work with him at DMT.
Health care and general living conditions, although improving, is still in
a poor state. Just over half of the population has access to suitable
sanitation and potable water. Although HIV and AIDS rate is much
lower in Nigeria compared to other African nations such as South Africa
or Kenya, they still suffer from occasional outbreaks of polio, malaria,
cholera and sleeping sickness.
As the country continues to develop, these outbreaks should decrease steadily in instance of occurrence and extent of
damage.
Education is also an area which is improving slowly but surely. Education is provided free by the government, however
only 68% of the population is literate and only 29% of the youth attend secondary education at this point.
"Nigeria is one of the developing countries that pays serious attention to education. My parents, peasant as they were,
made sure we all had basic education," Durojaiye explained. "I had my primary education at Jehovah Jire African Church
School in Lasgos and Seconday education at Nigeria Model High School. I had Higher education at East Ham College of
Technology in the UK studying graphic design, and then Lagos State Polytechnic, where I studied Business
Administration."
Durojaiye also earned a diploma in General Security Principle at the Institute of Security Studies and Investigation.
Nigeria has a rich ethnic diversity with over 250 ethnic groups, all with varying customs and languages. The estimated
number of languages, both living and extinct, is approximately 521. The official language is English, which was chosen to
create a sense of country-wide unity, both culturally and linguistically. Nigeria also has a variety of religious groups, with
the three main religions being Islam, Christianity and Animism (traditional religious belief system).
Amidst this complex and captivating culture dwells a great deal of patriotic pride. People like Durojaiye recognize the great
potential Nigeria has within its borders. It is rich in oil and other resources, and yet most of the people, at least 60%, are
considered to be living in poverty. Natural minerals such as tin and coal have not yet been fully exploited. Despite the rich
deposits of resources, most of the working people are in agriculture.The problem is, although bursting with resources and
people with determination, Nigeria is still recovering from years and years of military corruption and poor infrastructure
which left the country, and many of its most promising industries, disabled.
"Nigeria is a developing country," shared Durojaiye. "It has its own challenges and problems, but I believe some of the
problems are self-inflicted — such as corrupt practices, lack of direction and purposeful leadership. This not withstanding,
Nigeria can still be a wonderful place to live in and do business in."
Nigeria was a British colony up until it won its independence after World War II in 1960. Poor leadership, mismanagement
and political imbalance lead to series of back-to-back military coups starting in 1966. For nearly 16 years of military rule, the
people of Nigeria suffered from violence, lack of direction, corrupt leadership and financial devastation. The oil industry,
which could have brought much wealth to the country, was tied up in corrupt practices. In 1999 a new constitution was
adopted and peaceful transition to civilian government was completed. It is now time to rebuild and begin using the
country's resources wisely. Nigeria is now experiencing its longest period of civilian rule since it achieved independence.
General elections held in April 2007 marked the first civilian-to-civilian transfer of power in Nigeria's history. Current
President Umaru Musa YAR'ADUA took office on 29 May 2007.
"The last 20 years in Nigeria may not have been a wonderful success story politically," advised Durojaiye, "but things are
looking up economically and we are still hoping that with the present democratically elected government Nigerians will
begin to see the dividends of democracy. It (the economy) has potential to grow, if properly managed, corruption is
removed and international agencies are sincere with their dealings with the country."
Despite these troubles, the people of Nigeria stay determined and hopeful for the future. A survey that was done in 2003 of
more than 65 countries reported in the UK's New Scientist magazine that Nigeria has the highest percentage of happy
people in the world.
"There is an African adage that says, 'no matter where you have been or intend to go, at the end home is home'. Yes, I feel I
belong more here in Nigeria because I have no other country that I can call my country," Durojaiye shared. "No matter how
badly it is governed, people like me still believe strongly in the national patriotism. Since our problems are self-inflicted,
they will be solved by self-commitment to the nation."
This positive and powerful devotion to the country is the motivating factor that has driven Durojaiye to success, not just
financially, but socially as well. Fighting against corruption and national poverty, he has built a business that is meeting
needs, improving sanitary conditions, and creating jobs. Not only has he revolutionized the portable sanitation industry in
Lagos, but he has also reached out to the community, hiring idle boys from the streets to monitor the public units. DMT is
prospering, and the people of Nigeria are benefiting from Durojaiye's commitment to the cause.
In the portable sanitation industry there are many challenges we all face. Often times we measure our business' success by
numbers, charts and averages. I think Durojaiye's story is inspiring because he sees his success in the everyday
improvements in sanitation around his community. He measures his accomplishments by how he inspires the people of
Nigeria to strive forward with endurance to greatness.
When I asked Isaac Durojaiye what his personal goals in life are he replied, "I want to be seen as the man who has
revolutionalized the way human waste is perceived and managed...To be seen as a man who has contributed his own quota
to the development of Nigeria and not as a man who has contributed to the problems of Nigeria—a life of selfless service to
the people and the nation called Nigeria."
To learn more about Durojaiye and DMT toilets please visit their website at www.dmttoilet.com.
damage.
Education is also an area which is improving slowly but surely. Education is provided free by the government, however
only 68% of the population is literate and only 29% of the youth attend secondary education at this point.
"Nigeria is one of the developing countries that pays serious attention to education. My parents, peasant as they were,
made sure we all had basic education," Durojaiye explained. "I had my primary education at Jehovah Jire African Church
School in Lasgos and Seconday education at Nigeria Model High School. I had Higher education at East Ham College of
Technology in the UK studying graphic design, and then Lagos State Polytechnic, where I studied Business
Administration."
Durojaiye also earned a diploma in General Security Principle at the Institute of Security Studies and Investigation.
Nigeria has a rich ethnic diversity with over 250 ethnic groups, all with varying customs and languages. The estimated
number of languages, both living and extinct, is approximately 521. The official language is English, which was chosen to
create a sense of country-wide unity, both culturally and linguistically. Nigeria also has a variety of religious groups, with
the three main religions being Islam, Christianity and Animism (traditional religious belief system).
Amidst this complex and captivating culture dwells a great deal of patriotic pride. People like Durojaiye recognize the great
potential Nigeria has within its borders. It is rich in oil and other resources, and yet most of the people, at least 60%, are
considered to be living in poverty. Natural minerals such as tin and coal have not yet been fully exploited. Despite the rich
deposits of resources, most of the working people are in agriculture.The problem is, although bursting with resources and
people with determination, Nigeria is still recovering from years and years of military corruption and poor infrastructure
which left the country, and many of its most promising industries, disabled.
"Nigeria is a developing country," shared Durojaiye. "It has its own challenges and problems, but I believe some of the
problems are self-inflicted — such as corrupt practices, lack of direction and purposeful leadership. This not withstanding,
Nigeria can still be a wonderful place to live in and do business in."
Nigeria was a British colony up until it won its independence after World War II in 1960. Poor leadership, mismanagement
and political imbalance lead to series of back-to-back military coups starting in 1966. For nearly 16 years of military rule, the
people of Nigeria suffered from violence, lack of direction, corrupt leadership and financial devastation. The oil industry,
which could have brought much wealth to the country, was tied up in corrupt practices. In 1999 a new constitution was
adopted and peaceful transition to civilian government was completed. It is now time to rebuild and begin using the
country's resources wisely. Nigeria is now experiencing its longest period of civilian rule since it achieved independence.
General elections held in April 2007 marked the first civilian-to-civilian transfer of power in Nigeria's history. Current
President Umaru Musa YAR'ADUA took office on 29 May 2007.
"The last 20 years in Nigeria may not have been a wonderful success story politically," advised Durojaiye, "but things are
looking up economically and we are still hoping that with the present democratically elected government Nigerians will
begin to see the dividends of democracy. It (the economy) has potential to grow, if properly managed, corruption is
removed and international agencies are sincere with their dealings with the country."
Despite these troubles, the people of Nigeria stay determined and hopeful for the future. A survey that was done in 2003 of
more than 65 countries reported in the UK's New Scientist magazine that Nigeria has the highest percentage of happy
people in the world.
"There is an African adage that says, 'no matter where you have been or intend to go, at the end home is home'. Yes, I feel I
belong more here in Nigeria because I have no other country that I can call my country," Durojaiye shared. "No matter how
badly it is governed, people like me still believe strongly in the national patriotism. Since our problems are self-inflicted,
they will be solved by self-commitment to the nation."
This positive and powerful devotion to the country is the motivating factor that has driven Durojaiye to success, not just
financially, but socially as well. Fighting against corruption and national poverty, he has built a business that is meeting
needs, improving sanitary conditions, and creating jobs. Not only has he revolutionized the portable sanitation industry in
Lagos, but he has also reached out to the community, hiring idle boys from the streets to monitor the public units. DMT is
prospering, and the people of Nigeria are benefiting from Durojaiye's commitment to the cause.
In the portable sanitation industry there are many challenges we all face. Often times we measure our business' success by
numbers, charts and averages. I think Durojaiye's story is inspiring because he sees his success in the everyday
improvements in sanitation around his community. He measures his accomplishments by how he inspires the people of
Nigeria to strive forward with endurance to greatness.
When I asked Isaac Durojaiye what his personal goals in life are he replied, "I want to be seen as the man who has
revolutionalized the way human waste is perceived and managed...To be seen as a man who has contributed his own quota
to the development of Nigeria and not as a man who has contributed to the problems of Nigeria—a life of selfless service to
the people and the nation called Nigeria."
To learn more about Durojaiye and DMT toilets please visit their website at www.dmttoilet.com.
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Serving the American Liquid Waste Industry Since 2002