The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has said that handwashing with soap and running water prevents COVID-19, cholera, diphtheria, typhoid and Lassa fever, describing it as one of the simplest, most effective and affordable ways to prevent diseases and save lives while urging Nigerians to become handwashing heroes and heroines.
Lawal disclosed this while speaking at the commemoration of the 2026 Global Handwashing Day held at Police Day Secondary School, Area 11, Abuja, with the theme “Be a Handwashing Hero.”
He said the theme calls for collaborative action by individuals, families, schools, businesses and governments to step up as champions of hand hygiene, noting that heroes and heroines are not born but made through consistent actions that inspire, protect and preserve people and communities.
Lawal said the commemoration calls for collective coordinated actions to increase awareness about the importance of handwashing with soap under running water, adding that according to global health experts, proper handwashing can cut the risk of diarrheal diseases by up to 50 percent and respiratory infections by nearly 25 percent.
He noted that the call goes beyond provision of facilities to safe management to prevent disease and to meeting Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 6 by 2030.
Lawal said the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Environment and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies and the Hope Agenda of Mr. President remain steadfast in implementing policies and programmes that promote and improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene across communities.
Calling on all Nigerians to act, the Minister stated, “I call on all Nigerians, government officials, private sector stakeholders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youth, and every citizen to rise to the challenge and be a Handwashing Hero.”
He explained that being a handwashing hero begins with small consistent actions such as washing hands with soap and running water at critical times before eating, after using the toilet, after handling waste and after contact with others and animals, ensuring schools, healthcare facilities and workplaces have accessible handwashing stations, promoting hygiene education among children and within communities, supporting government initiatives that advance WASH infrastructure and environmental health, and innovating for sustainability through climate-smart water-saving techniques such as tippy taps.
He charged youths as digital natives and change-makers to create apps, videos and campaigns that make handwashing fun and viral.
He urged stakeholders at all levels, NGOs, community leaders and the media to intensify efforts to raise awareness, improve access to sanitation and hygiene facilities and promote behavioural change that supports handwashing at critical times.
Appreciating partners, he thanked the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Nestle Nigeria Plc and Female Professionals in Water Sanitation and Hygiene, FEMinWASH, and the management of Police Day Secondary School for hosting, as well as MDAs, NGOs, CBOs and the media for their support for WASH programmes.
“As we commemorate this day, let us remember that clean hands save lives. The power to protect our families, communities, and future generations lies in our hands,” he said.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr. Salihu A. Usman, said Global Handwashing Day was initiated by the Global Handwashing Partnership in 2008 at the annual World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden, and that October 15 was appointed by the UN General Assembly as the commemoration day, adding that the Ministry commemorated the 2026 edition on October 19 to join the rest of the world.
“Clean hands remain our first line of defense. By choosing to be a Handwashing Hero, each of us plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases such as diphtheria and cholera, reducing the risk of hospital acquired infections, and maintaining personal hygiene even in busy spaces like marketplace,” he said.
