By Fatima Saka
The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to make handwashing with soap and running water a daily habit to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, including cholera, diphtheria, typhoid and Lassa fever.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said proper handwashing could reduce the risk of diarrhoeal diseases by up to 50 per cent and respiratory infections by nearly 25 per cent.
Lawal made the call on Monday during the commemoration of the 2026 Global Handwashing Day at Police Day Secondary School, Area 11, Abuja, with the theme, “Be a Handwashing Hero.”
He said handwashing was one of the simplest and most affordable ways to prevent infections, protect public health and save lives, stressing that individuals, families, schools, businesses and governments must work together to promote proper hygiene practices.
According to him, the campaign goes beyond creating awareness to ensuring that schools, healthcare facilities, workplaces and communities have accessible handwashing and sanitation facilities.
He noted that effective sanitation management and improved hygiene practices were essential to preventing diseases, reducing pressure on healthcare facilities and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals on health and clean water and sanitation by 2030.
The minister said the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Environment and other relevant ministries, departments and agencies, remained committed to implementing policies and programmes to improve water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) across the country.
Lawal urged Nigerians to wash their hands with soap and running water at critical times, including before eating, after using the toilet, after handling waste and after contact with animals.
He also called on school authorities, healthcare providers and employers to ensure the availability of functional handwashing stations, while encouraging parents and community leaders to promote hygiene education among children and residents.
The minister further urged stakeholders to adopt water-saving handwashing methods in response to environmental challenges, including climate change and drought.
He cited simple devices such as tippy taps as practical options for conserving water while maintaining proper hand hygiene, noting that such approaches could support national climate action efforts and reduce pressure on limited water resources.
Lawal also challenged young Nigerians to use digital platforms to promote handwashing through videos, applications and awareness campaigns capable of reaching wider audiences.
He called on governments at all levels, non-governmental organisations, community leaders and the media to intensify public education, improve access to sanitation facilities and encourage behavioural changes that would make handwashing a national norm.
The minister said collective action was necessary to ensure that every Nigerian, irrespective of location or social status, had access to the facilities and information required to practise proper hand hygiene.
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He commended the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Nestlé Nigeria Plc and Female Professionals in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (FEMinWASH) for supporting the commemoration.
Lawal also appreciated the management of Police Day Secondary School for hosting the event, alongside ministries, departments and agencies, non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations and the media for their support for WASH programmes in Nigeria.
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