The Nigerian Government has urged stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, community leaders and the media, to promote regular handwashing with soap and running water, improve access to sanitation facilities and encourage proper hygiene practices.
Minister of Environment Mr Balarabe Lawal made the call at the Commemoration of the 2026 Global Handwashing Day held at Police Day Secondary school in Abuja Nigeria’s capital, with the theme “Be a Handwashing Hero”
The Minister says today’s Global Handwashing Day Commemoration calls for collaboration and collective coordinated actions to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap under running water as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.
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He said being a handwashing hero does not require extraordinary effort, it begins with small, consistent actions such as:
“Wash your hands with soap and running water at critical times: before eating, after using the toilet, after handling waste, and after contact with others and animals; Ensure schools, healthcare facilities, and workplaces have accessible handwashing stations, Promote hygiene education among children and within communities. Support government initiatives that advance WASH infrastructure and environmental health. Innovate for sustainability”
The Minister noted that the call for collaboration and collective coordinated actions goes beyond business as usual, promoting not only the provision of sanitation facilities but also their safe management to prevent disease.
“It brings to our consciousness the importance of sanitation and hygiene as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases, save lives, and ensure effective, quality sanitation delivery services, as well as meeting SDGs 3 and 6 by 2030.” He said
According to him the Nigerian Government through the Ministry of Environment and the Hope Agenda of Mr. President remain steadfast in implementing Policies and programmes that promotes and improve Water Sanitation and hygiene (WASH) across communities.
“We can make handwashing a national norm, reducing healthcare burdens and building a healthier future.” The Minister added.
Commandant of the Police Day Secondary School, CSP Moses Bammai, has emphasized the importance of inculcating proper hygiene habits in children from an early age, describing handwashing as a vital practice for maintaining good health and preventing the spread of diseases.
He stressed that teaching pupils the importance of hand hygiene at a tender age would help shape their attitudes and establish healthy habits that could last throughout their lives.
IFRC National Coordinator, Country Support Platform, Mr IIiya Cheshi stressed the critical role of simple hand hygiene in disease prevention and saving lives, noting that consistent handwashing practices can protect Nigeria from major health crises.
The public health expert who travels extensively within and outside Nigeria to respond to disease outbreaks emphasized the importance of instilling hygiene habits in children at a young age.
“Just simple hand hygiene can save lives, we are celebrating today in a primary school where we have pupils who come every day to gain knowledge, and I am happy they are leaving with the message that simple hand-washing hygiene can save lives.” He said
Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board, AEPB Mrs Ogbonna Kate reiterated the importance of proper hygiene in preventing the spread of infectious diseases, describing regular hand washing with soap and clean water as one of the simplest, most effective and affordable ways to protect public health.
Representing the Rural Women Energy Security Initiative (RUWES) Mrs Jumaima Ella called for intensified efforts to promote hygiene and handwashing practices across rural communities in Nigeria, emphasizing their critical role in curbing the spread of preventable diseases.
Jumaima Ella, says that while awareness is growing, grassroots communities require much greater outreach and support.
“Handwashing is an important thing, especially at the rural level,” Ella stated, noting that disease outbreaks can be significantly mitigated through proper hygiene education.
