By Abdullahi Lukman
Nigeria has joined the global community to commemorate the 2025 Global Handwashing Day, with this year’s theme, “Be a Handwashing Hero,” emphasizing personal and collective responsibility in promoting hand hygiene as a critical tool for disease prevention and public health protection.
The national event, held in Abuja and led by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in collaboration with the National Task Group on Sanitation, was presided over by the Honourable Minister, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE.
In a statement issued by Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, dated 15 October 2025, Prof. Utsev highlighted that handwashing with soap remains one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to prevent illness and save lives.
He called on all Nigerians to become “handwashing heroes” by actively embracing hygiene practices in schools, workplaces, and communities.
“This year’s theme moves us from awareness to action,” the Minister said. “We must all become champions of hygiene — from individuals to institutions.”
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) through national programmes such as the National Action Plan for the Revitalization of the WASH Sector, the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign, PEWASH, and SURWASH.
He also announced ongoing efforts to revise the National Action Plan to include a dedicated hygiene component and reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to implementing the Nigeria Roadmap to Hand Hygiene for All.
The Minister urged public institutions, especially schools and health facilities, to improve handwashing infrastructure and ensure inclusive access, including for persons with disabilities.
He also encouraged private sector investment in hygiene and sanitation to support innovation and long-term sustainability in the WASH sector.
Development partners such as UNICEF, WaterAid, Reckitt, Action Against Hunger, Sightsavers, and Self Help Africa were commended for their continued support toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation.
Also speaking at the event, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, represented by Mr. Moses Jo-Madugu, stressed the need for sustained behavioural change and collective action to make handwashing with soap a national habit.
Goodwill messages from UNICEF, Reckitt, and the Network of WASH in Nigeria (NEWSAN) reinforced the call for multi-sector collaboration to achieve universal hand hygiene, especially through better public awareness and education.
The event featured student participation in hygiene-themed educational activities and culminated in a symbolic handwashing demonstration by dignitaries and guests.
Winners of the Handwashing Art and Graphics Competition were also honoured, underscoring the importance of youth engagement in health promotion.
The 2025 Global Handwashing Day serves as a reminder that simple actions — like handwashing with soap — remain powerful tools for protecting lives, empowering communities, and upholding public dignity.