The federal government and development partners have called on Nigerians to prioritise hand hygiene as a simple and powerful tool for disease prevention and improved public health outcomes.

Speaking at the 2025 Global Handwashing Day in Abuja on Wednesday, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Joseph Utsev said handwashing is the first line of defence against diseases like cholera.

Mr Utsev noted that the theme reminded citizens that consistent hygiene practices, when adopted widely, could save lives and reduce the spread of diseases, especially in underserved and rural communities.

He highlighted government initiatives such as the Nigeria Roadmap to Hand Hygiene for All and Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign, aimed at expanding water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) access.

Mr Utsev urged institutions and communities to promote sustainable handwashing practices and ensure inclusive access, especially for people with disabilities, to strengthen national disease prevention efforts.

Minister of Environment Balarabe Lawal, represented by Aghogho Gbetsere from the ministry, said handwashing can reduce diarrhoeal diseases by 50 per cent and respiratory infections by 25 per cent, improving national health outcomes.

UNICEF representative Chisom Adimorah expressed concern that only 60 per cent of Nigerians had access to basic hygiene services at home, calling the gap a significant public health challenge.

She pledged UNICEF’s continued support to help Nigeria strengthen its hygiene strategies, citing new global handwashing guidelines developed in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh of Reckitt Sub-Saharan Africa reaffirmed the company’s hygiene advocacy through its flagship brand, Dettol, and revealed that more than N85 billion has been invested in health programmes over three years.

Ms Uzo-Ogbugh lauded partnerships with government and NGOs in grassroots hygiene campaigns like Reckitt Catalyst and urged Nigerians to make handwashing a daily habit for better health and dignity.

The event also featured art competitions among schools, with awards and gifts presented to students for outstanding creative expressions promoting handwashing and hygiene awareness. 

(NAN)