By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has called on Nigerians to make handwashing with soap and running water a national norm, describing the practice as one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent diseases and save lives.
Lawal made the call on Monday in Abuja while commemorating the 2026 Global Handwashing Day at Police Day Secondary School, Area 11, Abuja, with the theme, “Be a Handwashing Hero.”
He said proper handwashing could help reduce the spread of pathogens and prevent infections, including cholera, diphtheria, typhoid, Lassa fever and COVID-19.
According to him, global health experts estimate that proper handwashing can cut the risk of diarrhoeal diseases by up to 50 per cent and respiratory infections by nearly 25 per cent.
The minister said this year’s theme called for individuals, families, schools, businesses and governments to take collective action in promoting hand hygiene.
He stressed that becoming a handwashing hero did not require extraordinary effort, but consistent actions such as washing hands with soap and running water before eating, after using the toilet, after handling waste and after contact with other people and animals.
Lawal also called for increased provision of accessible handwashing facilities in schools, healthcare facilities and workplaces, as well as stronger hygiene education among children and communities.
He urged stakeholders, including governments at all levels, non-governmental organisations, community leaders and the media, to intensify awareness campaigns and promote behavioural change towards improved sanitation and hygiene.
The minister said the campaign should go beyond the provision of sanitation facilities to include their safe management, stressing that improved hygiene was essential to preventing diseases, saving lives and achieving Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 6 by 2030.
He said the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Environment and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies, remained committed to implementing policies and programmes to improve water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) across communities.
Lawal also urged Nigerians to adopt water-saving handwashing methods in response to environmental challenges such as climate change and drought.
He cited tippy taps and other simple devices that use minimal water as examples of climate-smart approaches to maintaining hand hygiene without worsening water scarcity.
The minister particularly urged young people to use digital platforms to create videos, applications and campaigns capable of making handwashing more engaging and influencing wider behavioural change.
He called on all stakeholders to support WASH infrastructure and environmental health initiatives, saying collective action could reduce the burden on healthcare services and build a healthier future.
“Clean hands save lives. The power to protect our families, communities, and future generations lies in our hands,” Lawal said.
He urged Nigerians to lead by example and ensure that everyone, regardless of location or status, had the means and motivation to practise proper hand hygiene.
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