The Federal Government, in collaboration with the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS), has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving universal access to hand hygiene and ensuring that every Nigerian has access to handwashing facilities with soap and water.
Speaking during a media briefing on Monday in Abuja, ahead of the 2025 Global Handwashing Day themed “Be a Handwashing Hero,” the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE, emphasized the central role of handwashing in disease prevention and national health improvement.
The Minister commended the media for their continued partnership in advancing hygiene awareness, noting that Global Handwashing Day designated by the United Nations and celebrated annually on October 15 serves as a global platform to promote handwashing with soap as an effective, affordable, and life-saving practice.
Prof. Utsev described handwashing as a “do-it-yourself vaccine” against hygiene-related diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid fever, and pneumonia.
He stated that although awareness of handwashing in Nigeria has reached 99%, consistent practice remains a challenge, particularly after defecation, before eating, and at other critical times.
He stressed that Nigeria must intensify hygiene education and expand access to handwashing facilities in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 6.2, which seeks to ensure access to adequate sanitation and hygiene for all.
To mark the 2025 Global Handwashing Day, the NTGS and development partners have outlined several activities, including month-long radio, television, and social media campaigns, as well as a National Commemoration Event scheduled for Wednesday, in Abuja. The celebration will feature symbolic handwashing demonstrations by dignitaries and sensitization drives in markets, healthcare centres, parks, and communities nationwide.
In his goodwill remarks, the Minister of Environment, Hon. Balarabe Abbas Lawal, represented by Mr. Aghogho Gbetsere, reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to joint implementation of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programmes aimed at improving access and promoting behavioural change. He urged state governments, community leaders, and NGOs to strengthen advocacy and make handwashing a social norm.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, represented by Mr. Moses Jo Madugu, highlighted hand hygiene as a shared responsibility vital for public health and economic development.
The Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Mrs. Elizabeth Ugoh, represented by Mr. Habu Jamilu, mni, expressed appreciation to the Minister, partners, and the media for their continuous support of national WASH initiatives.
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The event also featured goodwill messages from NEWSAN representative Mr. Attah Benson and a sensitization road walk to promote public awareness on handwashing practices.
Present at the briefing were Directors, development partners, and key stakeholders in the water resources and sanitation sector.
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