Nigeria's Environment Minister Advocates for Hygiene Awareness

At the 2026 Global Handwashing Day commemoration held at Police Day Secondary School in Abuja, Nigeria's Minister of Environment, Mr Balarabe Lawal, called for collaboration among stakeholders to promote hygiene practices. He highlighted handwashing with soap under running water as a crucial method for preventing diseases and saving lives.

Lawal stated that the Nigerian Government, through the Ministry of Environment and the Hope Agenda of the President, is committed to implementing policies that enhance Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) across communities. CSP Moses Bammai, Commandant of Police Day Secondary School, emphasized the need to teach children proper hygiene habits early on.

Mr IIiya Cheshi, IFRC National Coordinator, noted the vital role of hand hygiene in disease prevention. Mrs Ogbonna Kate, Director of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, reiterated the effectiveness of regular handwashing.

Mrs Jumaima Ella from the Rural Women Energy Security Initiative called for increased outreach to promote hygiene in rural communities.