— By Muhammad Sani Muazu
In a major step towards modernizing environmental health monitoring in Bauchi State, the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA), in collaboration with WaterAid International, has organized a one-day capacity-building workshop focused on the digitization of sanitary inspection checklists.
Held in Bauchi on July 27, 2025, the workshop brought together 100 environmental health officers and practitioners from various local government areas across the state to enhance their knowledge and efficiency in conducting routine sanitary inspections using digital tools.
The training aimed to replace the traditional manual checklist system with a more efficient and reliable digital platform, which participants accessed using mobile phones and computers. The switch is expected to improve data accuracy, reduce time spent on reporting, and promote real-time tracking of inspection activities.
Speaking during the event, Hajiya Balkisu Adamu, one of the participants, expressed appreciation for the training, describing it as a game-changer for environmental health officers.
“I have learned how to transform our work from manual to digital using an Android phone. It will simplify our work because in the past, we relied heavily on writing on paper. Now, we can inspect and report instantly without wasting time. We really appreciate the organizers of this important training,” she said.
Another participant, Isma’il Yusuf, noted that the shift to digital methods aligns with global technological advancements, stressing that environmental inspections must not be left behind.
“We cannot continue working like before. The world is now digital, and inspection should also follow suit. I will put into practice what I’ve learned. We used to use paper checklists, but now it’s all digital. The work is much easier. We’ll also enlighten our colleagues and the public on health education and awareness,” Yusuf added.
Abdulmalik Yusuf from BASEPA emphasized the accountability that comes with the digital system, saying it would help improve monitoring and transparency in the field.
“In the past, we used paper for reporting, but with this new electronic method, our efficiency will increase. Anyone still using the manual method is already left behind. The digital tool allows tracking of officers who are not doing their work effectively. Whatever we do now is tracked electronically,” he stated.
On his part, Muhammad Usman Saleh, Director of Inspection, Enforcement, and Compliance at BASEPA, said the digital transformation is part of a broader effort to ensure data-driven decision-making in environmental health.
“We are migrating from house-to-house inspections using paper to a digital system. Now, we use our phones and computers to conduct inspections, and the information is instantly transmitted to our servers. This gives us accurate, machine-generated data after each inspection,” Saleh explained.
He revealed that the 100 participants included environmental practitioners from across the 20 local government areas of Bauchi State. According to him, the participants were drawn from BASEPA, the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, and local government authorities, with specific representation from southern Bauchi, Jama’are, and Tafawa Balewa.
Saleh further explained that the goal of the training was to equip participants with in-depth knowledge of the digital inspection checklist, to minimize errors and enhance the objectivity of health data collection.
The workshop is part of broader reforms aimed at modernizing public health systems in Bauchi State and ensuring timely and accurate monitoring of sanitation standards.