The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector, with a focus on hand hygiene in underserved rural areas. This was announced by Babarinde Segun Mukaila, Director of Water Supply at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, during a media event in Abuja launching the 2024 Global Handwashing Campaign, organized by Self Help Africa (SHA).
Representing Minister Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Mukaila emphasized the impact of WASH on public health, poverty alleviation, and economic growth. “WASH is integral to achieving our development goals, from health improvements to economic progress,” he said. Highlighting recent federal initiatives, he pointed to the YouthWASH program, a collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), designed to mobilize young Nigerians as WASH ambassadors.
Mukaila also noted the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign’s goal to end open defecation by 2025, stressing that hand hygiene is a critical component. “Our focus is on sustainable solutions, including infrastructure, innovation, and partnerships, especially in rural and remote areas,” he stated, adding thanks to Self Help Africa for their support.
As Nigeria celebrated Global Handwashing Day, the government reiterated the importance of WASH as a core pillar of public health. Mukaila urged Nigerians to embrace WASH as a lifestyle, remarking, “Together, we can create a healthier, more resilient future.”
Health Adviser Dr. Chidera Chukwu from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) also stressed the gap between knowledge and practice in hand hygiene. Referring to 2021 WASHNORM data, he noted that while 99% of household heads understand proper handwashing techniques, only 8% consistently practice them. To address this, Chukwu urged a mobile handwashing campaign to raise awareness, with NYSC members playing a key role.
“Empowering young people can create a ripple effect, fostering community-wide adoption of hygiene practices,” Chukwu said. He highlighted the FCDO-supported WASH Systems for Health program, which aims to operationalize Nigeria’s National Youth WASH Strategy.
Joy Aderele, Country Director of Self Help Africa, reminded participants of the importance of handwashing post-COVID-19. “The pandemic showed us the power of hand hygiene,” she stated, citing that 80% of infections are transmitted through unwashed hands. “The Global Handwashing Day campaign this year centers on youth, who make up 63% of Nigeria’s population, as key players in driving change.”
Aderele also noted that from 2014 to 2019, SHA’s month-long handwashing campaigns reached over 10 million people across Nigeria and globally, working with both public and private sector partners. This year, the campaign will focus on engaging NYSC members and other young leaders to champion hand hygiene in local communities.
With a strong youth-led push, Nigeria’s commitment to WASH is expected to strengthen public health efforts nationwide, bringing impactful, sustainable hygiene solutions to regions that need them most.
