Nigeria's leading hygiene brand, Dettol, has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting hand hygiene and public health as it marked the 2025 Global Handwashing Day in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, and Kiddies 'n' Brands, a Reckitt Catalyst beneficiary.
Held on October 15 in Abuja, the event with the theme, "Be a Hero, One Handwash at a Time," reinforces the power of individual action in driving collective change through handwashing, one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent illness and improve health outcomes.
The commemoration brought together key government officials, development partners, and members of the media to promote hand hygiene awareness across the country. It featured practical demonstrations led by Dettol and renewed commitments by stakeholders to scale up hygiene education within communities.
Delivering the goodwill message, Head of External Communications and Partnerships, Reckitt Sub-Saharan Africa, Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh, said, "At Reckitt, through our flagship brand, Dettol, we have remained deeply committed to the promotion of hand hygiene for decades. Handwashing is not just a routine practice; it is a basic human right, a key to well-being, and one of the most effective ways to prevent illness and improve public health outcomes.
"Our long-standing advocacy for hand hygiene is rooted in the belief that clean hands save lives, and hygiene is the foundation for health. To bring this commitment to life, we have continued to work closely with the Federal and State governments, championing hygiene and sanitation education that empowers communities and strengthens public health across Nigeria."
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, applauded Dettol and its partners for their sustained contribution to Nigeria's hygiene and sanitation goals and called for continued collaboration toward achieving a healthier nation.
"I commend Reckitt, through its Dettol brand, and our development partners, Action Against Hunger, UNICEF, WaterAid and others for their continued support in driving hygiene and sanitation improvements across Nigeria. Handwashing with soap remains a first-line defence against disease and a foundation for dignity, productivity, and well-being. However, ensuring that this simple act becomes a way of life requires sustained advocacy, innovation, and collective effort. The Federal Government remains committed to working with the private sector to scale up access to hygiene facilities and strengthen behaviour change. Together, we can empower every Nigerian to be a handwashing hero and safeguard our nation's health," he said.
Beyond the Abuja event, Dettol's partners commemorated Global Handwashing Day in Lagos and Kwara States. In Lagos, The Wellbeing Foundation Africa and Kiddies 'n' Brands led school and community-based engagements in Ijora and Alimosho, where students and caregivers participated in interactive demonstrations reinforcing the importance of regular handwashing in line with Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 6.
Similarly, in Kwara, The Wellbeing Foundation Africa continued its Hygiene Quest programme, educating schoolchildren and families on proper hygiene practices.
As part of its broader public health agenda, Dettol has continued to drive initiatives such as Clean Naija and the Reckitt Catalyst Initiatives, which have empowered millions of Nigerians with hygiene education and supported innovative social enterprises in the WASH and health sectors.
Through these interventions, Dettol underscores that simple daily actions like handwashing can make a life-saving difference. In partnership with government and stakeholders, Reckitt says it remains committed to building a Nigeria where everyone can truly be a hygiene hero.