By Anthony Ochela, Abuja
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, in collaboration with the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS), has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting hand hygiene and ensuring universal access to handwashing facilities across Nigeria.
Speaking during a media briefing held on Monday, at the Ministry’s Conference Room, Abuja, ahead of the commemoration of the 2025 Global Handwashing Day, themed “Be a Hand Washing Hero,” the Minister commended members of the media for their continued partnership in advancing the national handwashing campaign.
Prof. Utsev noted that Global Handwashing Day, designated by the United Nations and observed annually on October 15, serves as an international platform to raise awareness on the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.
He emphasized that handwashing remains a critical measure for disease prevention, contributing significantly to improved health, reduced mortality, and enhanced economic productivity.
According to him, “Handwashing with soap is an affordable, accessible ‘do-it-yourself’ vaccine against sanitation and hygiene-related diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid fever, and pneumonia.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s progress and challenges, the Minister revealed that while awareness of handwashing practices stands at 99%, there remains a gap in consistent practice, particularly after defecation, before eating, and at other critical times.
He stressed the need to intensify hygiene education and expand access to handwashing facilities with soap and water in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 6.2.
According to the Minister, to commemorate the 2025 Global Handwashing Day, the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS), in collaboration with development partners, has lined up several activities, including month-long electronic and social media engagements across radio, television, and digital platforms.
The celebration will also feature a National Commemoration Event on Wednesday, 15th October 2025, in Abuja, which will include symbolic handwashing by dignitaries.
Additionally, sensitization campaigns will take place in markets, primary healthcare facilities, parks, and communities nationwide to promote proper handwashing practices and raise awareness on the importance of hygiene.
Also speaking, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, represented by the Assistant Director, Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Mr. Aghogho Gbetsere, noted that the Ministry, in collaboration with other stakeholders, will continue the joint implementation of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programmes to improve access and promote behavioural change nationwide.
He urged community leaders, NGOs, and sub-national governments to intensify awareness and education to imbibe handwashing culture as a social norm.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, represented by the Director, Reforms Co-ordination and Service Improvement, Mr. Moses Jo Madugu, underscored hand hygiene as a collective responsibility crucial for public health and national development.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s leadership in promoting hygiene and called on all Nigerians to sustain advocacy for improved practices.
