LAGOS/Nigeria: WaterAid Nigeria has called on Nigerians to adopt regular handwashing with soap a
s a daily life-saving habit, describing it as critical to protecting public health, particularly in underserved communities with limited access to clean water and hygiene facilities.
The Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, Ms. Evelyn Mere, made the call in a goodwill message to mark the 2025 Global Handwashing Day, themed “Be a Handwashing Hero.” The event, held at Ojodu LCDA in Lagos, was organised in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, development partners, and civil society organisations.
Mere said the theme was both a call to action and a reminder of the shared responsibility to prevent the spread of diseases through regular and proper handwashing.
“Handwashing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent diseases, yet millions still lack the facilities or awareness to practice it consistently,” she said.
She stressed that access to clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene remained the foundation of public health and dignity, with handwashing at the heart of it all.
Citing the latest WASHNORM data, Mere revealed that while 88 per cent of household heads in Nigeria know at least two critical handwashing moments, only eight per cent demonstrate proper handwashing behaviour.
“This gap between knowledge and practice is alarming and requires urgent, collective action,” she warned.
The WaterAid Country Director urged Nigerians to become “handwashing heroes” by leading by example, encouraging others, and ensuring the consistent availability of soap and water at handwashing stations in schools, healthcare centres, and public spaces.
She reaffirmed WaterAid’s commitment to supporting governments and partners in promoting hygiene, scaling up awareness campaigns, and ensuring universal access to handwashing facilities — not only on Global Handwashing Day but every day.
“Together, we can all be handwashing heroes, safeguarding the health and dignity of every Nigerian,” Mere said.
The commemoration featured a sensitisation walk across the Ojodu LCDA community to raise awareness about proper handwashing practices and their role in preventing disease outbreaks.
