The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation on Wednesday urged Nigerians to embrace regular handwashing habit.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Prof Joseph Terlumun Utsev noted that inculcating the habit will go a long way to reduce medical expenses in a family.
He spoke in Abuja at the occasion of the 2025 Global Handwashing Day Commemoration.
Themed “Be a Hand washing Hero”, the United Nations sets aside 15th October every year as a global advocacy day to increase awareness of the importance of hand hygiene to trigger lasting change from the policy-level to community-driven action.
Prof Utsev said the day is a call to all citizenry to take responsibility for creating healthy living for themselves and the immediate community.
According to him, it also signifies that ordinary actions, when multiplied, can become heroic.
He pointed out that adopting the theme is an indicator of a shift from passive awareness to active participation,
He said "I wish to call on all stakeholders to embrace the mantle of a hand washing Hero. Let national and sub-national leaders commit to measurable goals, agencies should ensure real provision of facilities and supplies, institutions (schools, hospitals, and workplaces) should make hand washing non-negotiable, every citizen should teach, practice, and advocate clean hands and habits, and if each of us – leaders, and individuals acts heroically in our domain, we will transform lives.
"I wish to reiterate that a child spared from disease today is a future empowered. A community with safe hygiene is a community with dignity.
"Let us seize this opportunity to make a difference by becoming Hand washing Heroes to build a healthier and more resilient society where everyone can thrive." the Minister stated.
He stressed that cholera, which is a waterborne disease, thrives in environments where sanitation and hygiene are compromised, leading to widespread illnesses and fatalities, particularly in underserved communities.
The Minister therefore harped on the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes hygiene promotion alongside water supply and sanitation, noting that poor hygiene practices can undermine the quality of water and the progress in ending open defecation.
"Hand washing with soap remains a 'first-line' defense in preventing outbreaks and reducing the toll of current and future pandemics. Beyond disease reduction, proper hand hygiene benefits also extend to decreased rates of school absenteeism and improvements in well-being, dignity, and productivity.
"This understanding prompted the development of the Nigeria Roadmap to Hand Hygiene for All, launched in September 2022, to serve as a crucial guide for all hygiene promotion activities." he stated
The Federal Government, he said, has, over the years, demonstrated its commitment to the development of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Sector in Nigeria with several initiatives, such as the development of the National Action Plan for the revitalization of the WASH sector with the declaration of a State of Emergency in the Sector
The Minister disclosed that the Ministry, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, is revising the National Action Plan for the Sector, which will incorporate a standalone component on hygiene.
He further highlighted other interventions to include the implementation of the PEWASH programme, the launch of 'Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet' Campaign to end open defecation backed by Executive Order 9, and the Sustainable Urban and Rural WASH (SURWASH) project, among others.
Prof Utsev added "We also have in place a National Hygiene Promotion Strategy and Implementation guidelines for schools, primary health care centres, and public places, which all have strong hygiene components."
Canvassing for opportunities for hand washing facilities to be provided in all public places and households, including schools, health facilities, workplaces, etc, he said the facilities should also be accessed by people living with disabilities
The Minister commended Reckitt, Action Against Hunger, UNICEF, WaterAid, Sightsavers, Self Help Africa and all other development partners for their financial and technical support, in the promotion of sanitation and hygiene.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, represented by Mr. Aghogho Gbetsere, called for collaborative efforts to boost hand washing hygiene in the country.
Stressing that heros are not born, the Minister said they are made through consistent actions.
He urged stakeholders to intensify efforts to raise awareness for handwashing hygiene.
Delivering the welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Richard Phellangwah, said collective effort is needed to establishing the habit of effective hand washing in homes, schools, markets, worship centers, at work and other places.
Represented by the Director Reforms Coordination, Moses Jo-Madugu, the Permanent Secretary said daily practicing the habit will improve access to hand hygiene for all Nigerians.
Speaking at the occasion, a representative of UNICEF, Chisom Adinora, noted that only one in every six persons in Nigeria have access to basic hygiene in their homes.
The theme, she said, is a call to action that everyone has a role to play in promoting safe hygiene, from young children in schools to the senior government officials.
"Clean hands are fundamental defense diseases and infections, not only in hospitals, but in our everyday life. So we understand that in a country like Nigeria here, we have illnesses like diarrhea cholera that are sadly still gaining the lives of people of our fellow Nigerians.
"So we must acknowledge all these gaps that still exist in hand washing services and practices in Nigeria and moment, 60% of Nigerians have access to basic hygiene in their homes, which is every one in every six persons only have access.
"So this is a significant gap, and this statistic highlights urgent need. We need to prevent infectious diseases and protect health. We need to dramatically improve access to hand washing services."
According to her, improving hygiene is a shared responsibility by all.
Kasandra Uzor Ukpo, representative of Reckitt, said everyone can be a hero by teaching and educating those around on good hand washing practices.
"We believe that improving hygiene is not just a public health necessity, but also a matter of human dignity and inclusion as we celebrate heroes can be found in our homes, in our classrooms, in our hospitals, in our markets, where one act of hand washing can prevent an infection, can keep a child in school, can protect a mother or a newborn. "
She extended gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and sanitation, the Federal Ministry of Environment, developmental partners, the civil societies and the media for their support in advocating for health and hygiene.
Apart from symbolic handwashing by dignitaries, the guests and participants were entertained by cultural dance by students of NAOWA College, Kurudu.